Birth Control Only Works If A Woman Can Get It

We have just seen a change that will fundamentally impact our culture for years and years to come. As part of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, by 2014 all new health insurance policies under the Exchange will cover all types of birth control with no co-pay. This is sound fiscal policy—for every $1 spent on contraception, taxpayers save $3.74 in public funding. In other words investments in birth control saves you money, America!

Now, discussing co-pays and legislation sounds very dry sometimes, but the real-world effects of this change are going to be felt by many women and their families across this nation very soon. This decision means that the college student won’t have to dip into her grocery money in order to pay for her pill pack; that a woman struggling to make ends meet and support her family will be able to afford her prescription; and the woman interested in a long-acting method like and IUD will be able to get it and not be stopped by the initial expense (these methods often cost much less over time, are highly effective and easily reversible).

Making birth control easier to get just makes sense. When women use birth control there are far fewer unintended pregnancies. Not surprisingly the countries where birth control is easiest to get also have the lowest rates of unintended pregnancy.

The bottom line is that removing cost barriers so that a woman can access birth control throughout her life time is good policy. The average woman spends 30 years of her life trying to avoid pregnancy; women know that planned pregnancies lead to happier, healthier families. Readily available birth control is a crucial step in making this happen.

It's National Condom Week!

Valentine’s Day is a day of celebrating love for some. For others it will be a day in which they drown their single sorrows in chocolate and Cupid’s Broken Arrow Martinis. But no matter how you are celebrating, or sorrowing, February 14th is also the start of National Condom Week. And what better way to show you care than wearing protection with the one you love?

National Condom Week started in 1978 at UC Berkeley and has been used by colleges, high schools, and clinics as a method of outreach to remind the young, the old, and everyone in between, “no glove, no love.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, young people (age 15 -24) only make up 25% of the population, and yet this age group consists of more than half of the new sexually transmitted infections each year. Using condoms and education young people about safer sex practices could decrease this number. Condoms are 98% effective, if used correctly, at preventing pregnancy, and greatly increase protection against STIs.

So while you’re out buying chocolate and flowers, don’t forget the condoms (and the lube). Remember that the best way to show someone you love them is by using protection.

Need to freshen up on how to use a condom correctly? Check out this video from our Sexuality Education Training Institute...

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) refers to abuse (sexual,
physical, psychological/emotional, or verbal) within a close
relationship. This may be between dating partners, domestic partners,
spouses or former spouses. Often times, IPV begins with
emotional/psychological or verbal abuse and escalates to physical or
sexual assault.

The CDC reports that women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner related physical assaults and rapes each year. Men are the victims of about 2.9 million intimate partner related physical assaults.

IPV Can Be Prevented!

It’s important for people to understand what is involved in a healthy
relationship. Healthy relationships include expressing yourself
honestly, communicating openly, agreeing to disagree at times and
ultimately respecting one another. Unhealthy relationships may include
threats, intimidation, name-calling, stalking, jealousy, controlling
behavior or criticism.

If you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship, seek help! Talk to a trusted friend, counselor, or healthcare provider. There are many community resources available.

In Delaware, contact:

Kent/Sussex Domestic Violence Hotline 302-422-8058
New Castle County Domestic Violence Hotline 302-762-6110
Rape Crisis CONTACT Services 1-800-262-9800

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Understanding Intimate Partner Violence

Remember your New Year’s Pledge: More Good News About Exercise!

If there weren’t already enough benefits to being physically active, consider a new study conducted at the University of Vermont which found that mood can be elevated for up to 12 hours after exercise!

The study was conducted with college students exercising for 20 minutes at a moderate intensity level. Participants then completed a questionnaire which evaluated their mood at one, two, four, eight, 12 and 24 hrs after exercise. The study found that an elevated mood lasted for up to 12 hrs after exercise when compared to participants who didn’t exercise at all.

Need a Quick Exercise Mood-Boost During the Work Day?

Check out these simple tips for daily exercise (even while at the office)…

• Lift light weights (1-5 lbs) while sitting at your desk or talking on the phone
• Stash an exercise band in your desk for resistance work throughout the day
• Bring your gym shoes for a lunchtime power walk
• Squats and lunges are simple leg workouts that can be done down office corridors or hallways
• Try calf raises while typing on the computer
• Get your colleagues on board with exercise in the workplace – form a support group to motivate each other
• Start each workday with a 5-10 minute meditation to relax and quiet the mind
• Keep a water bottle at your desk to stay hydrated

Remember that exercise doesn’t have to be torture! A simple 20 minute workout each day can have significant health benefits including a happier, calmer demeanor in the workplace! You’re worth it!