UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE)

The 👆🏼 findings:
🚧 Emphasize the unique challenges disabled individuals face in accessing contraceptive care that aligns with their preferences.
🩺 Call for tailored, person-centered approaches to contraceptive care to help bridge gaps in care for this underserved population.

#TeachingTuesday

Differences in Contraceptive Method Discontinuation and Contraceptive Method Preferences by Disability Status Contraceptive care delivery to people with disabilities must be contextualized within the U.S. history of stratified reproduction and eugenics. Significant sexual and reproductive health inequities…

💡 Big picture: Nearly 1 in 5 reproductive-age women in the U.S. live with a disability.

The recent study:
🔍 Finds that disabilities are associated with unmet contraceptive wants and needs.
🏥 Describes how historical and ongoing ableism in healthcare compounds this issue.

📝 Read more ⬇️

A recent study found notable differences in contraceptive satisfaction and preferences between disabled and nondisabled individuals. Significantly more disabled people:
🛑 Stopped their contraceptive method due to dissatisfaction
💰 Say that they would use a different method if cost were not a barrier

📢 New from CORE 📢
#Wisconsin law prohibits abortion via telehealth within the formal healthcare system, but shield laws provide an alternative way to access that care.
⚖️ A CORE brief explains how thousands in WI have turned to out‑of‑state clinicians protected by shield laws.
📝 Read: buff.ly/0ywsxJX

Abortion care in Wisconsin: New data shows growing role of telehealth The latest report from #WeCount, a national effort to count the number of clinician-provided abortions in the United States each month, documents two clear trends: Abortion numbers continue to rise…

On the anniversary of #RoevWade, new #WeCount data shows how abortion care in #Wisconsin continues to shift from before #Dobbs. In the first half of 2025:
📍 65% of abortions happened in brick‑and‑mortar clinics
📱 34% were medication abortions via telehealth from shield‑law providers buff.ly/9oK8nft

The study offers solutions ✅ for healthcare systems to better support clinicians and patients under abortion restrictions: clear, timely guidance for care; legal protection and interpretation; open communication with the public; and showing visible support.

📝 Read the full study: buff.ly/nyKwfXu

Interviews with ob-gyns show that after Dobbs, healthcare institutions:
🕰️ Failed to provide timely, actionable guidance for clinicians
🩺 Made managing miscarriages and pregnancy complications more stressful
🔇 Issued vague or non-existent statements about the ruling’s impact, frustrating physicians
⬇️

Study reveals major but overlooked role of healthcare institutions in shaping pregnancy-related care, regardless of abortion laws A new study of Wisconsin obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) finds that healthcare institutions’ lack of clear clinical and legal guidance after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision not only…

New CORE research reveals how healthcare institutions, not just laws, play a major role in patient care and clinician experience under abortion restrictions.

The study finds healthcare institutions' inaction after Dobbs increased stress, frustration, and mistrust among physicians. ⬇️ buff.ly/kkQRoz0

A new study finds that 90% of people not using contraception cite personal reasons; just 3% mention access barriers. 🏥
💡 Access matters, but so do autonomy and preference-driven decisions.
📝 Read more in @contraceptionjl.bsky.social from CORE, REAL, and @guttmacher.org researchers! buff.ly/9JTPHRo

More clarity regarding how, when, and where adolescents can access abortion care is important for everyone, including clinicians.

📍 In #Wisconsin, many barriers make abortion access for minors difficult.
Read more in a CORE brief on the topic ➡️ buff.ly/5s3yCfD

The study found that post-Dobbs, clinicians caring for adolescents in abortion-restricted states report:

🩺 Reduced confidence in finding abortion providers
⚖️ Difficulty interpreting state abortion laws
❓ Uncertainty in assisting adolescents with abortion logistics

Graphic in white font on blue and yellow background with UW CORE logo and face icon with straight mouth and question mark. Text reads: "Since the Dobbs decision, many doctors who care for adolescents feel unable to help them get abortion care. Source: Bryson et al., Contraception"

After the Supreme Court's #Dobbs decision, medical providers who treat adolescents don't feel comfortable helping their patients access abortion care, especially in states with abortion restrictions, new research shows. 📝 Read the study: buff.ly/Xghj0sf
#TeachingTuesday

A hearty congratulations to CORE Lab alumna Fiona Weeks, who in January will begin a three-year term as president-elect of the Wisconsin Public Health Association! 🌟 WPHA is dedicated to advancing statewide public policy change to eliminate health inequities. 📊 Proud of you, Fiona!

Madison doctor says abortion control proposals are meant to scare Wisconsin Republicans withdrew a 'catch kit' measure requiring women to collect medical waste but have other ideas.

CORE investigator and ob-gyn clinician Abby Cutler tells @captimes.com that multiple abortion bills introduced in the #Wisconsin Legislature “inject confusion" and shame, complicating and stigmatizing care decisions that are best managed between a medical provider and patient.

📍 The above 👆 study reveals that over half (51%) of Wisconsin counties had a CPC in 2017, while only 3% had an abortion provider. 🚧

🗺️ Other research finds that post-Dobbs, CPCs have grown in both number and funding, especially in states with abortion restrictions: buff.ly/s3kwOUd

⚠️ A CORE brief and infographic detail evidence of how CPCs harm patients: buff.ly/UD9Woi8

🔍 Many CPCs engage in unethical practices.
📋 CPCs cannot ensure client confidentiality due to lack of medical licensing.
❌ They often provide disinformation about abortion risks.

Light pink graphic with black text and UW CORE logo reads "More than 1 in 10 Wisconsinites who have been pregnant have visited a crisis pregnancy center. Source: Yang et al., PLOS One"

14% of reproductive-aged Wisconsinites with a history of pregnancy visited a crisis pregnancy center (CPC) in 2019-20, research shows: buff.ly/eZwH9rh

❌ CPCs aim to convince pregnant people not to have an abortion.
ℹ️ They resemble clinics but lack licensed providers.
#TeachingTuesday

It's Thanks, Birth Control Day!
✔️ Everyone deserves access to the birth control method that works best for their body, life, and goals.
✔️ Removing barriers to contraception improves health outcomes, reduces inequities, and strengthens communities.

📖 CORE resources: buff.ly/cJuXGY1

#ThxBirthControl

CORE colleague Laura Swan also reveals significant socioeconomic barriers to preferred contraception ➡️ buff.ly/qwafYIO

These studies emphasize the need for financial equity, improved quality of care, and accurate, person-centered information to help people meet their contraceptive preferences. 🏥

Costs, logistics, and concerns about side effects and health risks were the main barriers 🚧 to using preferred contraceptive methods.

📈 Healthcare interactions also play a crucial role. Respondents who reported higher-quality contraceptive care 💬 were more likely to be using their preferred method.

Graphic in black and white font on yellow background with UW CORE logo and icon of person with brown skin experiencing stress. Text reads: "More than one-third of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the U.S. were not using their preferred contraceptive method in a recent study. Source: Wollum et al., Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters"

A recent research survey led by @ibisrh.bsky.social highlights significant barriers 🚧 in accessing preferred contraceptive methods among Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in the U.S.

⚠️ 37% of respondents were not using their method of choice.

Study: buff.ly/FaGHxSw
#TeachingTuesday

💬 From the study: “As reproductive health care access faces growing threats, OTC contraception offers a promising strategy to support reproductive autonomy and reduce disparities in contraceptive use.”

💡 Improved community awareness and insurance reimbursement could impact access and autonomy.

The findings also indicate that over-the-counter access could substantially impact contraceptive practices.

🔍 OTC oral contraceptives led to a:
📈 32% increase in people shifting from no contraception to an FDA-approved method
⬆️ 41% rise from less-effective methods to the OTC pill

Graphic reads "Over-the-counter access to oral contraceptive pills led to a 32% increase in the number of people using FDA-approved contraception methods. Source: Rodriguez et al., JAMA Network Open"

New research in @jamanetworkopen.com finds that over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptives may improve equitable access 📈 to contraception.
💊 OTC pill users were more likely than prescription users to be uninsured, adolescent, and residents of rural areas.
buff.ly/oNvFvV7
#TeachingTuesday

Wisconsin scholars to present at 2025 Society of Family Planning Annual Meeting Numerous scholars affiliated with the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity, along with colleagues from other Wisconsin institutions and communities, will present at the Society of Family Planning…

Numerous CORE scholars, along with colleagues from other Wisconsin institutions and communities, will present at the 2025 Society of Family Planning @societyfp.bsky.social Annual Meeting, held Oct. 25–27 in Pittsburgh. We look forward to sharing and learning! 📝

🗓️ View the list: buff.ly/SAEoc7C

📢 @guttmacher.org's @megankavanaugh.bsky.social, with CORE Director Jenny Higgins and others, propose a new method to assess contraceptive access impact, focusing on individual needs and perspectives for better sexual and reproductive health equity. In @contraceptionjl.bsky.social! ➡️ buff.ly/qcfjxBJ

Outreach Program Coordinator - Madison, Wisconsin, United States Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:Academic StaffEmployment…

📢 UW-Madison's Social Science Research Services (SSRS) is coordinating with @uwsoc.bsky.social to hire a communications and events specialist! SSRS staff support the Center for Demography and Ecology and the Center for the Demography of Health and Aging.
Interested? Learn more and apply by Oct. 16 ➡️

⚖️ Current state and federal efforts to restrict medication abortion access threaten this important, safe, and effective health service.

⚠️ In #Wisconsin, state law prohibits telehealth medication abortion care. Read more in CORE's latest brief ➡️ buff.ly/qQ8iEHn

The above 👆 study also suggests that telehealth is addressing gaps in access for underserved populations. People who ordered pills from the telehealth abortion service Aid Access were more likely to live in areas with:
📊 Higher poverty
🛜 Slower internet
🛣️ Longer travel to clinics

Graphic reads "84% of orders to a nationwide medication abortion provider were from patients in states with significant restrictions. Source: Aiken et al., JAMA"

Telemedicine 💊 has significantly increased abortion access in the Midwest and South, especially in areas with restrictive laws, a new study shows.

📝 Key finding: 84% of a telemedicine service's prescriptions went to patients in states with significant restrictions.

buff.ly/SjJiVNk
#TeachingTuesday