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Komen's Snub to Planned Parenthood Hurts HIV Efforts TooBy Candace Y.A. Montague February 1, 2012
Planned Parenthood is once again under attack but this time from someone that was once a strong ally. The Susan G. Komen Foundation announced that they would cease all financial support of Planned Parenthood because the organization is under congressional investigation. Critics say that the Komen is succumbing to political pressure because Planned Parenthood has been scrutinized lately for providing abortions. The Komen Foundation vehemently denies this by saying in a released statement "We are dismayed and extremely disappointed that actions we have taken to strengthen our granting process have been widely mischaracterized." Their decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood not only hampers breast cancer prevention but it also cuts into HIV and STD screenings and prevention as well. One of the key recommendations from the National HIV/AIDS Strategy is to increase the number and diversity of available clinical-care providers and related services. The reason for that goal is to increase access to care which includes getting regular screenings for STDs. Early detection and access to treatment has been proven to be a strong component in decreasing new HIV infections. Women from low-income backgrounds are at a higher risk of contracting HIV for a number of reasons including of lack of access to care. Planned Parenthood provides health check ups, mammograms, pap smears and more than four million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections per year. Chances are a majority of those tests were for women without private insurance or Medicaid. If they lose funding of this magnitude ($7.5 million donated in 2009 alone), it will most assuredly interrupt critical services that are being provided to an already tragically underserved population. Among women patients below the federal poverty level, seven in ten consider a women's community health provider, like Planned Parenthood, as their primary source of health care. It's a safety net. It's a backup for a broken healthcare system that puts women's health way behind politics and greed. Planned Parenthood is a provider of not just medical care but also education, outreach, and advocacy for reproductive rights. They are so much more than the 3 percent of abortions that they provide every year. And in the fight against HIV/AIDS, having a trusted Planned Parenthood clinic nearby can be the difference between life and death. Get email notifications every time this blog is updated.
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D.C. HIV/AIDS Examiner  Candace Y.A. Montague Candace Y.A. Montague has been learning about HIV since 1988 (and she has the certificates from the American Red Cross to prove it). Health is a high priority to Candace because she believes that nothing can come of your life if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it. One of her two master's degrees is in Community Health Promotion and Education. Candace was inspired to act against HIV after seeing a documentary in 2008 about African-American women and HIV. She knew that writing was the best way for her to make a difference and help inform others. Candace is a native Washingtonian and covers HIV news all around D.C. She has covered fundraisers, motorcycle rides, town hall meetings, house balls, Capitol Hill press conferences, election campaigns and protests for The DC Examiner.com and emPower News Magazine. Subscribe to Candace's Blog:
Recent Posts:
April 5, 2013 - The Sexual Health Lessons of Tyler Perry's Tempation: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague
March 25, 2013 - Candace's AIDS News Update: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 11, 2013 - Three Condoms Rule No More: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 5, 2013 - HIV Prevention Strategies for Women Proven Ineffective: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague February 8, 2013 - Black HIV/AIDS Awareness: Eight Points to Keep in Mind A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
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