Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
 

Guttmacher Exchange

The Guttmacher Exchange is a series of roundtable discussions addressing various issues relevant to the Institute’s work and current events. These sessions will seek to: educate, generate ideas, encourage critical thought and debate, and motivate participants to take action using what they have learned. They are appropriate for both the sexual and reproductive health community (including health care professionals, scientists, professors, advocates and other key decision makers) and new audiences in related fields outside of the sexual and reproductive health community that share a commitment to women’s health, social justice and human rights.

Where Do Young People Learn about Sexual Health?
Education Beyond the Classroom

April 7, 2009

"Where Do Young People Learn about Sexual Health? Education Beyond the Classroom" attracted more than 75 sexuality educators, health care providers, researchers, advocates, program directors, and public health and policy experts to discuss sources of sexual health information outside of school-based settings used by young people. Among the topics addressed were the Internet as a resource, innovative peer education strategies, media messaging for at-risk youth, and programs that integrate sexuality and spirituality.

Hear Rachel Jones, senior research associate with the Guttmacher Institute, discuss young people's sources of sexual and reproductive health information.
Hear Kate Ott, associate director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing, discuss how the faith-based community integrates sexuality with spirituality education.
Hear Jennifer Weidenbaum, associate director of Girls Incorporated, New York City, discuss the role of community-based organizations in educating young people about healthy sexuality.
Hear William Juzang, vice president of business development for MEE Productions, discuss strategies for reaching youth in under-served communities with targeted campaigns.
Hear youth discussant Elizabeth Gyori, a peer editor of Sex, Etc., respond to the panelists' presentations.
Hear youth discussant William Humphries, a peer educator with Planned Parenthood of New York City, respond to the panelists' presentations.

The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health

September 23, 2008

“The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health,” a roundtable discussion organized by the Guttmacher Institute and the Family Violence Prevention Fund, attracted more than 70 health care providers, researchers, advocates, program directors and legal experts to discuss the impact of intimate partner violence on sexual and reproductive health. Among the topics addressed were the loss of control of personal reproductive health choices for women involved in violent relationships, best practices for providers to screen their patients, ways to encourage patient disclosure and strategies for countering misogynist attitudes that foster violence.

Hear Ann Moore, senior research associate with the Guttmacher Institute, discuss her recent research on intimate partner violence.
Hear Rebecca Levensen, senior policy analyst with the Family Violence Prevention Fund, discuss the clinical implications for reproductive health providers.
Hear Vicki Breitbart, director for program development and evaluation and research with Planned Parenthood of New York City, discuss implementing research results on intimate partner violence into their services and practice.
Hear Malika Saada Saar, founder and executive director of the Rebecca Project for Human Rights speak about the intersection of past sexual abuse and entrance into the criminal justice system.
Hear Catherine Hodes, program director from the Safe Homes Project, comment on how these issues are addressed in a shelter setting.
Hear Kevin Powell, political activist and author, discuss the role of men in preventing domestic violence.

In Their Own Right: Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young Men

June 11, 2008

The third installment of the Guttmacher Exchange roundtable discussion series, In Their Own Right: Addressing Young Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs, brought together more than 50 health care providers, researchers, advocates, sexual health and educational program directors, peer and community educators and public health students to discuss this issue, with a particular focus on unplanned pregnancy, disease prevention, healthy relationships, masculinity, fatherhood and homophobia.

The expert panel included Laura Lindberg, Ph.D., senior research associate with the Guttmacher Institute; David Bell, M.D., medical director of the Young Men’s Clinic at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Wayne Pawlowski, A.C.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., independent sexuality consultant and trainer. Talcott Camp, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project served as moderator.

Get Facts on Young Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Hear Laura Lindberg speak about the most recent data.
Hear David Bell discuss the provider’s perspective.
Hear Wayne Pawlowski comment on education and training.

Medical Mistrust and Communities of Color

February 12, 2008
The 1st installment of the 2008 Guttmacher Exchange series featured an esteemed expert panel discussing the issue of medical mistrust in communities of color. About 80 sexual and reproductive health colleagues, health care educators and providers, and program managers who work directly in communities of color, participated in the event in our New York and Washington D.C. offices. Topics discussed include: reproductive justice, eugenics, medical testing on ethnic minorities, language barriers in serving immigrant women, and what providers can do to help overcome mistrust from their patients.
Hear Loretta Ross, National Coordinator, Sistersong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, outline the historical basis for medical mistrust within communities of colors in the United States.
Hear Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Vice President Medical Affairs, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, present on connections between disparities and mistrust.
Hear Silvia Henriquez, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, discuss cultural challenges in providing immigrant women with sexual and reproductive health services.