Planned Parenthood In Ohio Launches Campaign To Educate Public About Range Of Services It Provides

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 25 Aug 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region on Wednesday launched a campaign called the "A-Word" in an effort to educate the public that the organization provides more than abortion services, the AP/Huntington Herald-Dispatch reports. Becki Brenner, chief executive of PPSWO, said, "People automatically associate the A-Word with abortion, but we are about so much more than that," adding, "It's difficult to communicate that to people when you are defined by one small piece of what you do." Brenner said that abortions account for only about 2% of the organization's services in the 22 southwest Ohio counties served by its 10 clinics.

The ads, which will run for about six weeks in the Cincinnati Enquirer and other Enquirer publications, focus on the "A-Words" of abstinence, access, affordability and advocacy and how they relate to what PPSWO says are its main goals of family planning and reproductive health care, according to the AP/Herald-Dispatch. The group also has launched a Web site that aims to start public discussion on its services and promote dialogue on strategies of abortion prevention. Brenner said, "There is always a core group out there where we will never be able to change minds, but we hope to find some common ground with other members in the public."

According to the AP/Herald-Dispatch, the campaign comes amid efforts by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) to prevent PPSWO from relocating one of its clinics to another Cincinnati neighborhood. Chabot's re-election campaign recently submitted a petition with nearly 1,100 signatures calling for the organization to stop the move, Katie Fox, spokesperson for Chabot's campaign, said. Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati also opposes the move because the new location would be near four high schools. Paula Westwood, the group's executive director, said, "The true 'A-Word' for Planned Parenthood is abortion, and setting up near high schools is an easy way to get business." Brenner said that the organization does not target teenagers and that 90% of those served by the clinic in question are older than age 18. She added that the clinic will go ahead with its move in October as planned (Cornwell, AP/Huntington Herald-Dispatch, 8/20).

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