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Dr. Sally Rafie, founder of Birth Control Pharmacist, says pharmacies are an accessible and private option for those in need of contraceptive care; Joy Burkhard, executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, wants to make sure...
Dr. Sally Rafie, founder of Birth Control Pharmacist, says pharmacies are an accessible and private option for those in need of contraceptive care; Joy Burkhard, executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, wants to make sure providers who see pregnant people and new parents get the help they need to perform screenings; an ASTHO blog article covers Missouri's response to a maternal health crisis; and disease forecasting is the topic of an ASTHO webinar set for later this week.
Birth Control Pharmacist Webpage
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Webpage
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series
ROBERT JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, May 14, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
SALLY RAFIE:
People have the right to decide when they want to become pregnant and birth control is a really straightforward way to help them plan their pregnancies.
JOHNSON:
Dr. Sally Rafie is the founder of Birth Control Pharmacist. She says pharmacies are an accessible and private option for those needing contraceptive care.
RAFIE:
Most Americans live within a few miles of a pharmacy. Pharmacies tend to have expanded hours where you can go in in the evening or on a weekend and talk to a pharmacist. And there tends to be less stigma associated with going into a pharmacy compared to going into a family planning clinic, for example.
JOHNSON:
Rafie says more than half of states now permit pharmacists to prescribe birth control. Adding public health officials can help encourage availability of these services.
RAFIE:
They often are the ones who are taking the lead with writing a standing order or issuing a standing order, issuing a statewide protocol or reviewing one that would be used.
JOHNSON:
Rafie and other experts are part of an ASTHO webinar about pharmacists- prescribed contraception happening this Thursday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. You can sign up using the link in the show notes. You also can learn more about Rafie's organization, that link is in the show notes as well.
With Mother's Day still on our mind, we're thinking about OBGYNs and others who care for pregnant people and the ways they can help screen for maternal mental health concerns. Joy Burkhard is executive director of the policy center for maternal mental health. She wants to make sure providers who see pregnant people and new parents get the help they need to perform these important screenings.
JOY BURKHARD:
Supporting them through reimbursement strategies, ensuring there are enough providers to refer to mental health counselors and behavioral health therapists for example, and ensuring that they have support from payers like insurers to provide care coordination once someone is diagnosed.
JOHNSON:
Burkhard, says there are other ways policy leaders can help.
BURKHARD:
We would love to see every state have a state-sanctioned maternal mental health task force or blue ribbon commission that brings cross-sector players together to explore and understand maternal mental health and their state's prevalence, barriers, and opportunities for change.
JOHNSON:
She adds the AIM bundles are another important solution.
BURKHARD:
We're also expecting that the perinatal quality collaboratives that exist in most states now have the support that they need through public health and others to implement the new alliance for innovation in women's health strategies for perinatal mental health.
JOHNSON:
Also, today, Missouri's work in this area is covered in a new ASTHO blog article. O'Keyla Cooper has more.
O'KEYLA COOPER:
A new ASTHO blog article covers Missouri's response to a maternal health crisis, including bipartisan efforts to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage and improve healthcare access for pregnant and postpartum persons through the Prism Learning Community. Missouri also participated in a boundary spanning leadership program as part of its engagement with Prism, aiming to improve trust and partnerships. Read the full article by clicking the link in the show notes.
JOHNSON:
Finally, this morning disease forecasting is the topic of an ASTHO webinars set for later this week. Learn how to communicate about disease forecasts on Thursday, May 16, at 4 p.m. Eastern time, save a seat using the link in the show notes.
Before we go a reminder also to follow this newscast on your podcast player and connect with ASTHO on social media. We're on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASCO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to the award winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day
