If Birth Control Curbs Abortions, Is It OK? St. Louis Study Shows Link

A Washington University study in the St. Louis area shows a decline in abortions when contraception was readily available.

For Catholics, a fundamental part of the doctrine is this: Neither abortion nor birth control are acceptable. So much political debate centers on that fundamental part of Catholic or otherwise conservative philosophy: How much control should mankind assume over the bringing of life into the world? Now we have word, reported on University City Patch on Friday and other outlets this week as well, that a Washington University study—known as the Contraceptive Choice Project—links access to affordable or free birth control to a decline in abortion rates in the St. Louis area. The study notes that abortion rate in the St. Louis area declined by more than 20 percent in the St. Louis area between 2008 and 2010, while other parts of the state not …

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Sensible? I think so

12:07 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thank you for your response. I wonder why it's the moment that the egg divides rather than the moment that the egg is fertilized, but I'll just increase my understanding incrementally.   more ›

Health Beat

Abortion Rates Plummet with Free Birth Control

According to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine.

Providing birth control to women at no cost substantially reduced unplanned pregnancies and cut abortion rates by 62 percent to 78 percent over the national rate, a new study shows. The research, by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, appeared online Oct. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology. To see a video on the findings, click here. Among a range of birth control methods offered in the study, most women chose long-acting methods like intrauterine devices (IUDs) or implants, which have lower failure rates than commonly used birth control pills. In the United States, IUDs and implants have high up-front costs that sometimes aren't covered by health insurance, making these methods unaffordable for many women. “…

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Health Beat

IUDs, Implants Are Most Effective Birth Control

According to Washington University study.

A study to evaluate birth-control methods has found dramatic differences in their effectiveness. Women who used short-term methods like birth-control pills, the patch or vaginal ring were 20 times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who used longer-acting forms such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant. Results of the study, by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, were reported May 24 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Birth-control pills are the most commonly used reversible contraceptive in the United States, but their effectiveness hinges on women remembering to take a pill every day and having easy access to refills. In the study, birth-control pills and other short-term …

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From the Senator's Desk

Women’s Rights Are Under Attack

Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal's column.

A troubling trend of attacking women’s rights is making its way across the country. You may have heard that the state of Virginia recently attempted to pass a law mandating that women undergo an invasive procedure known as a transvaginal ultrasound before being able to obtain an abortion. Also, in Missouri and Washington D.C. legislation has been proposed that would make it legal for employers to deny birth control coverage for their employees if employers say it violates their core religious beliefs. These pieces of legislation are an astonishing threat to a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices. Even more incredible than the legislation is the lack of representation of women included in the discussion of this issue. For …

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U City School Board Discusses Sex Education

Board looking at policies and curriculum.

Responsible sex education for children in the school district of University City was the topic of discussion at Thursday's school board work session. The school board reviewed a revised board policy put before them by Superintendent JoyLynn Pruitt. The revisions came after questions arose about a policy before the board months earlier. "We wanted to make sure we complied with federal mandates and guidelines, as well as state mandates and guidelines," Pruitt told the board. The board policy was reviewed by MSBA (the Missouri School Board Association) and the district's legal council. Pruitt said MSBA advised the board to tread lightly when making changes to the policy as much of the wording was dictated by Missouri statutes. The School …

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