Pregnancy Intention Data Use to Inform Policy on Contraceptive Access in Virginia

Sunday, May 7, 2023

5:15 PM – 7:30 PM CST

Primary Presenter(s)

Janelle Anthony, MSN, RN, PHNA-BC (she/her/hers)

Family Planning Quality Assurance Nurse Supervisor
Virginia Department of Health
Richmond, Virginia, United States

Presenter(s)

Emily Yeatts, MSW, MPH (she/her/hers)

Reproductive Health Unit Supervisor
Virginia Department of Health
Richmond, VA, United States
Evelyn T. Jones, MPH (she/her/hers)

Reproductive Health and Perinatal/PRAMS Epidemiologist
Virginia Department of Health - Office of Family Health Services, Division of Population Health Data
Richmond, Virginia, United States

Presenter/Moderator(s)

Kenesha F. Smith Barber, MSPH, PhD (she/her/hers)

Community Health Epidemiology Program Manager
Virginia Department of Health
Richmond, Virginia, United States

Moderator(s)

Meagan Robinson Maynor, DrPH, MPH (she/her/hers)

Director, Division of Population Health Data
Virginia Department of Health
Richmond, Virginia, United States

Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data illustrates that 43% of VA women experienced an unintended pregnancy. Using both PRAMS and program specific data, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was able to further two publicly funded family planning programs, Title X Family Planning, and Contraceptive Access Initiative (CAI). This data was used to launch a $6 million contraception initiative and sustain General Assembly fund allocation for uninsured, low-income patients needing contraceptives. PRAMS data was cited in the annual reports to the General Assembly to demonstrate that contraceptive access is a public health issue. This session will discuss the collaboration efforts of the VDH team, challenges faced in this process, and the public health impact and outcomes.