NYU Study Examines Young Women’s Understanding of EC
A recent
study by NYU professor Dr. Miriam Cremer found that young women aged 12
to 17 can understand how to use emergency contraception as well as
adults, reports the Washington Square News. 

Researchers surveyed girls in malls, movie theaters and parks in New
York City. Participants in the study were asked to read the emergency
contraception label before answering survey questions. Of the 1085
teenage girls who completed the survey, 83 percent understood that the
drug must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, 87 percent
understood that emergency contraception is not effective if you are
already pregnant, and 95 percent understood that emergency
contraception does not protect against HIV.

The study led Cremer to conclude: “I believe that the impact is that emergency contraception should be
provided to women under 18 without a prescription since it is clear
that they can understand the key comprehension points.”

Ultrasound Bill Moves Forward in Nebraska…
A slightly less-draconian-than-it-originally-was ultrasound law is moving in Nebraska, headed for the full legislature, reports WOWT.com.  The law "require
a doctor performing an ultrasound before an abortion to display images
of the fetus so the woman could see them," but has been modified to
require the image to be displayed so that women can opt to look at it,
rather than away from it, and would not require doctors (as it first
did) to tell women that abortion would "cause psychological trauma."

…and Could Appear in Florida
An ultrasound bill in Florida may resurface.  Reports the Seminole Chronicle: "A bill that would require Florida women to get an ultrasound before a
first-trimester abortion appears stalled in the state’s committee, but
it could resurface before the legislative session ends May 1."

The bill would require women to get the ultrasound and view the
fetus, and the doctor would be required to describe the developmental
age of the fetus.

Women can decline to view the ultrasound in writing, and the bill provides exemptions for victims of rape and incest.

Reproductive Health a Concern of the Clergy
Syracuse University chaplain Rev. Tomi Jacobs writes on Syracuse.com about the concern progressive clergy have for reproductive health issues:

Clergy have a particular interest in expanded access to reproductive
health care services and information. We offer counsel and support to
people confronted by medical needs and in need of access to care. In
New York state, the governor and lawmakers have again made access to
family planning a statewide priority…Clergy provide pastoral care to people confronted by juvenile
diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, serious burns, spinal cord injury and
other serious conditions that stem-cell research may one day cure. We
are excited by invigorated research that, we pray, will one day bring
healing for afflictions that have thus far eluded treatment.

 

Other News to Note

April 8: Heritage.org: The Dirty Dozen: 12 New Policies That Undermine Civil Society

April 10: Business Daily Africa: Editorial: Kenya needs to rethink its population policies

April 9: Policy Pointers: International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Response to Critics of Family Planning Programs

April 7: Euro News: Küng: Catholicism heading back to Middle-Ages

April 9: Duke Chronicle: Panel assesses teen pregnancy programs

April 10: The Tidings: Pro-life official criticizes court ruling on Plan B for 17-year-olds

April 9: Capitol Journal: Senator angers abortion groups

April 8: Forbes: Birth Control Pills Linked to Lupus Risk: But doctors differ on degree of peril, saying genetics likely a key player

April 9: AP: Pa. bishop still worried about condoms on campus

April 9: AP: Abortion measure sent back to finance committees

April 10: Miami Herald: Records won’t be sealed in botched abortion case

April 9: Washington Times: Pro-life health workers fight for conscience protections