The Best Intentions

The Best Intentions PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309052300
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 393

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Book Description
Experts estimate that nearly 60 percent of all U.S. pregnanciesâ€"and 81 percent of pregnancies among adolescentsâ€"are unintended. Yet the topic of preventing these unintended pregnancies has long been treated gingerly because of personal sensitivities and public controversies, especially the angry debate over abortion. Additionally, child welfare advocates long have overlooked the connection between pregnancy planning and the improved well-being of families and communities that results when children are wanted. Now, current issuesâ€"health care and welfare reform, and the new international focus on populationâ€"are drawing attention to the consequences of unintended pregnancy. In this climate The Best Intentions offers a timely exploration of family planning issues from a distinguished panel of experts. This committee sheds much-needed light on the questions and controversies surrounding unintended pregnancy. The book offers specific recommendations to put the United States on par with other developed nations in terms of contraceptive attitudes and policies, and it considers the effectiveness of over 20 pregnancy prevention programs. The Best Intentions explores problematic definitionsâ€""unintended" versus "unwanted" versus "mistimed"â€"and presents data on pregnancy rates and trends. The book also summarizes the health and social consequences of unintended pregnancies, for both men and women, and for the children they bear. Why does unintended pregnancy occur? In discussions of "reasons behind the rates," the book examines Americans' ambivalence about sexuality and the many other social, cultural, religious, and economic factors that affect our approach to contraception. The committee explores the complicated web of peer pressure, life aspirations, and notions of romance that shape an individual's decisions about sex, contraception, and pregnancy. And the book looks at such practical issues as the attitudes of doctors toward birth control and the place of contraception in both health insurance and "managed care." The Best Intentions offers frank discussion, synthesis of data, and policy recommendations on one of today's most sensitive social topics. This book will be important to policymakers, health and social service personnel, foundation executives, opinion leaders, researchers, and concerned individuals.

The 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS)

The 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS) PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Child health services
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description
Abstract: This publication reports the results of three meetings held to plan the 1988 National Material and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS). The purposes of the meetings were: to layout methodological and policy issues which will affect the 1988 NMIHS; to examine the relationship of the 1988 NMIHS to other National Center for Health Statistics surveys; and to review contracting mechanisms ann funding sources annd alternatives.

1988 National Mater[n]al and Infant Health Survey

1988 National Mater[n]al and Infant Health Survey PDF Author: Maureen Sanderson (Ph. D.)
Publisher: Department of Health and Human Services Cen Ol and Prevention Nat
ISBN:
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description


Birth Settings in America

Birth Settings in America PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309669820
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 369

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Book Description
The delivery of high quality and equitable care for both mothers and newborns is complex and requires efforts across many sectors. The United States spends more on childbirth than any other country in the world, yet outcomes are worse than other high-resource countries, and even worse for Black and Native American women. There are a variety of factors that influence childbirth, including social determinants such as income, educational levels, access to care, financing, transportation, structural racism and geographic variability in birth settings. It is important to reevaluate the United States' approach to maternal and newborn care through the lens of these factors across multiple disciplines. Birth Settings in America: Outcomes, Quality, Access, and Choice reviews and evaluates maternal and newborn care in the United States, the epidemiology of social and clinical risks in pregnancy and childbirth, birth settings research, and access to and choice of birth settings.

Science and Babies

Science and Babies PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309041368
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 183

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Book Description
By all indicators, the reproductive health of Americans has been deteriorating since 1980. Our nation is troubled by rates of teen pregnancies and newborn deaths that are worse than almost all others in the Western world. Science and Babies is a straightforward presentation of the major reproductive issues we face that suggests answers for the public. The book discusses how the clash of opinions on sex and family planning prevents us from making a national commitment to reproductive health; why people in the United States have fewer contraceptive choices than those in many other countries; what we need to do to improve social and medical services for teens and people living in poverty; how couples should "shop" for a fertility service and make consumer-wise decisions; and what we can expect in the futureâ€"featuring interesting accounts of potential scientific advances.

Current Contraceptive Use in the United States, 2006-2010, and Changes in Patterns of Use Since 1995

Current Contraceptive Use in the United States, 2006-2010, and Changes in Patterns of Use Since 1995 PDF Author: Jo Jones (Ph. D.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Contraception
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description


National Pregnancy & Health Survey

National Pregnancy & Health Survey PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Childbirth
Languages : en
Pages : 482

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Book Description


Health Insurance is a Family Matter

Health Insurance is a Family Matter PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309169054
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
Health Insurance is a Family Matter is the third of a series of six reports on the problems of uninsurance in the United Sates and addresses the impact on the family of not having health insurance. The book demonstrates that having one or more uninsured members in a family can have adverse consequences for everyone in the household and that the financial, physical, and emotional well-being of all members of a family may be adversely affected if any family member lacks coverage. It concludes with the finding that uninsured children have worse access to and use fewer health care services than children with insurance, including important preventive services that can have beneficial long-term effects.

Results from the ... National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Results from the ... National Survey on Drug Use and Health PDF Author: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (U.S.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Drug abuse
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description


Reproductive Health in Developing Countries

Reproductive Health in Developing Countries PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309174996
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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Book Description
Sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies, infertility, and other reproductive problems are a growing concern around the world, especially in developing countries. Reproductive Health in Developing Countries describes the magnitude of these problems and what is known about the effectiveness of interventions in the following areas: Infection-free sex. Immediate priorities for combating sexually transmitted and reproductive tract diseases are identified. Intended pregnancies and births. The panel reports on the state of family planning and ways to provide services. Healthy pregnancy and delivery. The book explores the myths and substantive socio-economic problems that underlie maternal deaths. Healthy sexuality. Such issues as sexual violence and the practice of female genital mutilation are discussed in terms of the cultural contexts in which they occur. Addressing the design and delivery of reproductive health services, this volume presents lessons learned from past programs and offers principles for deciding how to spend limited available funds. Reproductive Health in Developing Countries will be of special interest to policymakers, health care professionals, and researchers working on reproductive issues in the developing world.