Roundup: Public Health Victories and Ochocinco Talks BC

A needed new clinic opens in Milford, MA, and a Nevada school board reconsiders its abstinence class for students. Plus - Chad Ochocinco says he's as trusty as... a vasectomy?

Three cheers for public health! A grant in Massachusetts and student-led action on unacceptably high teen pregnancy rates have led to public health gains for communities.

Thanks to a Title X grant, a new Planned Parenthood clinic in Milford, MA, has opened its doors and is providing a much needed public health service to teens looking for sexual health information, education, and care.

Since the Health Awareness Services center closed a few months back, Milford High School nurse Tina Saggio said she has been struggling with where to send students who need family planning services.

“(The center) is a huge benefit (for the community),” Saggio said. “It’s the only place around where they can get confidential advice and care.”

Saggio estimates four to five students per week look for information. Most, she said, are freshmen and sophomores.

Through cooperation with health instructors and teachers of younger students, Saggio hopes to approach new ways of getting information to kids about sexual education, disease and pregnancy prevention.

“Something’s not getting through,” Saggio said.

In the meantime, the new center downtown will provide an additional resource for students, Saggio said, especially those who feel they cannot talk to their parents or physicians.

“I encourage them to talk with their parents about it,” Saggio said. “But the ones that cannot, this is going to save them.”

But, of course, anti-choice protesters are gathering to spend their days in front of the new clinic  – that does not provide abortion services – but will provide STD tests, gynecological care and birth control. Says one protester, “The (abortion) referrals are just as bad as doing the abortion.”

And in Nevada, the Lyon County school board voted unanimously to reevaluate its sexuality education curriculum at the request of students who say that the abstinence class isn’t working to prevent teen pregnancy, as the county has one of the highest rates in the nation.

The LCSD requires students to have active permission from their parents each year in order to take sex education courses. The District’s current sex education program is an abstinence-only program called “Worth the Wait.”

McCormick said he believes a more comprehensive program is needed.

“I would like to see us add something a little more fact-based that hopefully meets the needs of our students as they leave our district,” he said.

Is it sad that when a public official comes out in favor of “fact-based” public health information, we find reason to cheer? Little victories, I guess.

Mini-roundup: Thank you, Chad “formerly Johnson” OchoCinco for allowing me to include you in the roundup. The wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals recently told the media “I just need everybody to trust in me like birth control. You know, because I’m always going to be there for you 99.9 percent of the time. And that 1 percent was the Jets game, that’s it.” Chad, I love your flashy style and tiger-y looking uniform pants, but 1) that’s faulty math, and 2) according to this handy Planned Parenthood chart, you must be talking about sterilization, IUDs or an implant.

June 15

Ultrasound Bill Vetoed by Crist…Thank God. – Campus Progress

New Bill to Modify Michigan Abortion Ultrasound Law – Christian Web News

Feminism in the Wake of the ‘Ladies’ Night’ is…Complicated – True/Slant

Alaskan Governor Vetoes Child’s Healthcare Funding Due to Abortion Concerns – Ms. Magazine

Sister Sarah – Washington Post (blog)

Can better ultrasounds prevent abortion? – Salon

New “morning-after” pill effective, safe: FDA staff – Reuters

Bobby Jindal Slated to Sign Abortion Funding Bill – The State Column

Time to move forward after differences on health reform, priest says – Catholic News Service

Abortion Drugs by Video? – New York Times

Ella – Contraception or Abortion Pill? – FOXNews (blog)

Protesters object to Planned Parenthood office in Milford – Milford Daily News

Is Rubio right to say Crist’s veto will alow tax-funded abortions? – MiamiHerald.com

Australian maternity benefit ‘may prompt abortions’ – AFP

Fielding attacked for abortion reference – Sydney Morning Herald

OUR OPINION: Crist keeps state on moderate course on abortion – MiamiHerald.com

Little-Known Risks of Birth Control Pills – DivineCaroline

Chad Ochocinco: ‘Trust in me like birth control’ – National Football Post

Written by Dan Savage – New Haven Advocate

New Birth Control Pill Effective Up to Five Days After Unprotected Sex – The Root

Alarming Rise In HIV Among Gay Men – Tech Jackal

US committee says gay blood ban will stay in place – PinkNews.co.uk

SDUT: UCSD reveals HIV early detection test study – SDNN

Youth Soccer League Fights AIDS in South Africa – Tonic

HIV Test Required of Worker, Suit Says – New York Times

Editorial: Blood banks need not discriminate – University of Pittsburgh The Pitt News

Midwifery a priority in planning – The Herald

Aurora police investigate after teen’s newborn is found dead – Akron Beacon Journal

The Burden of Child-Brides – THISDAY

June 16

Revolutionary birth control grows in popularity – Naperville Sun

Making abortions safe in Ghana – The Guardian

IUDs cut pregnancy rates compared to hormonal contraceptives – Sify

Marking the anniversary of the birth control pill – NJ.com (blog)

Editorial: Blood banks need not discriminate – University of Pittsburgh The Pitt News

Teen charged in suspected HIV lie – Journal and Courier

‘Having HIV doesn’t make you abnormal’ – The Guardian

HIV – the movie! – The Guardian

HIV-positive in Swaziland – The Guardian

Breaking Dawn’s Violent Vampire Birth May Happen Off-Screen – New York Magazine

Susan Komen for the Cure pushes enhanced Medicaid funding – The Hill (blog)

G20 Girls, Mexico: Hundreds of girl deaths – Toronto Star

Maternal mortality in Nigeria – The Guardian

‘We’re pregnant’: The changing role of new fathers – Times Herald-Record

Young Midwives Prove Their Worth – Bernama

School Board to reconsider sex ed curriculum – Reno Gazette Journal