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The California Black Women's Health Project ...Welcome to the California Black Women's Health Project List Serv! We are pleased to invite you to join this network of thousands of committed advocates working to expand the possibilities for women and girls. You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in CABWHP's work or publications, you have given a donation to CABWHP, or you have asked to receive e-mail action alerts from us.
Founded in 1994, the California Black Women's Health Project (CABWHP) focuses on empowering Black women to take personal responsibility for our own health and to advocate for changes in policies that adversely affect Black women's health status.
EMPHASIZING individual responsibility and interpersonal support, we seek to improve the health of Black women and girls using a proactive approach.
BECAUSE Black women influence the family and community standards that impact and improve health, our organization encourages active, daily, health- affirming thoughts and behaviors. We also seek to educate policy makers about conditions that affect our health.
WORKING in partnership with health care providers, health advocates, and community-based organizations, we believe a healthier future for Black women and girls in California is possible.
We urge you to take this opportunity to stay informed and make your voice heard on the issues you care about!
Walking for Wellness Research Study The California Black Women's Health Project is partnering with the University of Pennsylvania and the Black Women's Health Imperative to evaluate the effectiveness of an online Walking for Wellness Program for Black women. The Internet-based Walking for Wellness Research Study focuses on how to increase physical activity among Black women and the effectiveness of online programs in this effort. To participate in this research study with CABWHP, you must live in Los Angeles or surrounding areas and be able to meet twice a month in or near Inglewood. While you must also have access to the Internet, you don't have to be Web-savvy to participate. For more information about the study and to see if you qualify, please log on to:
FDA Panel Backs Nonprescription Emergency Contraception (EC) The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering a recommendation by an advisory panel to make emergency contraception (EC) available over the counter. This panel's decision is a tremendous victory for women's reproductive health. The (EC) pill would be sold over-the- counter, rather than by prescription-only, which is the current policy. Often called the "morning-after" pill, an emergency contraceptive (EC) marketed as "Plan B", acts to prevent pregnancy. EC gives women a second chance to prevent unintended pregnancy, thereby reducing the need for abortion.
Emergency contraception, also called postcoital contraception, can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception is provided in two ways: using hormonal contraceptive pills or inserting a copper-releasing IUD (intrauterine device). Emergency contraception is a concentrated dosage of ordinary birth control pills that dramatically reduces a woman's chance of becoming pregnant if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception does not cause abortion and does not work if a woman is already pregnant. Rather, emergency contraception prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, fertilization, or implantation before pregnancy occurs.
Proponents argue that nonprescription status would ensure timely access to the product, which is a high- dose version of traditional birth-control pills. To be effective, Plan B must be taken as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after sex. Plan B can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or in the case of contraceptive failure.
Some question whether women will take it properly without any professional advice. The FDA typically follows the recommendations of its advisory panels, which are made up of outside medical experts. However, amid pressure from conservative members of Congress, the FDA recently delayed its decision (which was due in February) stating that it needed up to 90 more days to review data added to the application.
Some opponents also worry women will turn to Plan B instead of using ongoing contraception. But supporters counter, saying the cost alone -about $45 from a pharmacy - would prevent women from using it as a regular birth-control method.
Upcoming events:March - April 2004
•Advocate Training Program Graduates on the move....Members of our 2003 and 2004 ATP classes attended a Lobby Day in Sacramento on March 15th. CABWHP co-sponsored the event with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to inform legislators about key issues affecting women's lives. Look for more details in our next issue!
•Tune in on Thursday March 18th at 7:00am to KPFK 90.7FM. CABWHP and some of our newest advocates will discuss current issues affecting Black women's health. Topics will include mental health advocacy, HIV/AIDs awareness and the upcoming March for Women's Lives!
•Join us at the March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC on April 25, 2004.See marchforwomen.org for more details »
Celebrate and Support Black Women's Health Derrick's Jamaican Cuisine
6806 La Tijera Blvd. (Across from Magic Johnson's Starbucks, next to One United Bank)
Los Angeles, CA 90045
March 27 - 28, 2004
8:00 am to 10 pm
Have a healthy meal at Derrick's Jamaican Cuisine during the last weekend of every month and a portion of your total purchase will go to support the work of the CABWHP. Please be sure to inform the cashier that you are there to support the CABWHP before paying for your food or bring in this ad.
For more information or to have a flyer faxed or mailed to you call:310 412-1828
MARCH 2004
ACTION ALERT: SB 921 - The Healthcare for All Californians Act Status: Assembly Health Committee (passed by the Senate on June 4, 2003). This legislation, authored by Senator Sheila Kuehl, would provide health insurance coverage to ALL Californians through a single insurance plan offered by the State of California. It would control the growth of health care spending through a simplified administrative structure, consolidated financing and purchasing, and statewide health planning. SB 921 would revolutionize the provision of health care in California by shifting current private and public financing to a single system of public financing, similar to Medicare.
Quick Links...
email: listserv@cabwhp.org
voice: 310-412-1828
web: http://www.cabwhp.org
