Iowa Initiative To Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Announces $11.5M Grant To UNI

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 04 Feb 2008 - 7:00 PST

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Officials at the University of Northern Iowa on Thursday announced that the school has received an $11.5 million grant from the Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies to study which family planning methods are most effective in reducing unintended pregnancies, the AP/WOI-TV reports. Researchers will conduct a five-year study to determine the effectiveness of education projects aimed at increasing knowledge and utilization of family planning services. The project will be headed by Mary Losch, a UNI psychology professor and assistant director of the Center for Social and Behavioral Research. Faculty from the University of Iowa and the University of Alabama-Birmingham will collaborate on the research (AP/WOI-TV, 1/31).

According to the Des Moines Register, Losch was selected because of her experience in maternal and child health. "The research will focus primarily on women ages 18 to 30," Losch said, adding, "Our goal is to gain a solid understanding of the best ways to increase knowledge and influence attitudes and behaviors that will result in fewer unintended pregnancies and fewer abortions." Losch said about half the pregnancies in Iowa are unintended and that many women and their partners report now using contraception "at the time of conception," adding, "We need to better understand Iowa women's attitudes and beliefs about contraception and how we can use community partners to increase referrals to services and care designed to reduce unintended pregnancies" (Des Moines Register, 1/31).

Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack, executive director of the Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies, announced the project's launch last month. According to Vilsack, funding for the grant came from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (Associated Press, 1/31). Iowa ranks 48th in the U.S. in access to family planning services and 39th in public funding for family planning (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/11).

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