Tell Congress to Back Global Sexual and Reproductive Health

by Meredith Slater · 2010-05-20 06:12:00 UTC
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When it came to the healthcare debate in the United States, the war cry was that reform "can't wait." With millions of Americans uninsured and hundreds more losing their insurance literally every hour, there was a real sense of urgency. A feeling that we had to make a change now. And so we did.

But what about the rest of the world? Among the world's poorest, most lack access to basic healthcare. Many have never seen a doctor in their lives. It's now time to expand our healthcare energies beyond our borders, and fight for healthcare rights internationally.

So let's start where we've already been successful. The U.S. has a strong model in its international family planning and reproductive health program — which Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, through the proposed Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2010, would expand. The legislation would work to back the most important and often life-saving health services for those in developing countries. According to Clarke's website, for example, the Act would support voluntary family planning, education and outreach, reduction of unsafe abortion, STI and HIV prevention, contraceptive development, training of healthcare professionals and more. Tell your representatives in Congress to back the legislation now:

According to the World Health Organization's 2009 Global Health Risks report, just five factors are responsible for one quarter of all deaths in the world. Being underweight in childhood and having unsafe sex are two of them. With its focus on mothers — and in turn their children — this legislation would tackle some of the simplest, yet deadliest problems in the world.  That's why Representative Lois Capps (who's also a public health nurse) lauds the legislation, saying that it "will arm women throughout the world with the knowledge and resources they need to make the best choices for themselves and their families."

If healthcare reform in the United States couldn't wait, why should healthcare for the rest of the world? Act now to encourage your representatives to support this legislation.

Photo Credit: christyscherrer

Meredith Slater works as a grant writer for organizations such as Friends of the World Food Program and Henry Street Settlement.

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