CDC Online Course: Reproductive Health in Emergency Preparedness and Response

Abstract

In an emergency, the needs of women of reproductive age, particularly pregnant and postpartum women, introduce unique challenges for public health and clinical care. Incorporating reproductive health issues and considerations into emergency preparedness and response is a relatively new field. In recent years, several resources and tools specific to reproductive health have been developed. However, there is still a need for training about the effects of emergencies on women of reproductive age. In an effort to train medical and public health professionals about these topics, the CDC Division of Reproductive Health developed Reproductive Health in Emergency Preparedness and Response, an online course that is available across the United States.

Zika: A Missed Opportunity to Protect Women's Health and Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies

“…The months-long delay in appropriating more than $1 billion to fight Zika by a Congress embattled over provisions to defund Planned Parenthood highlights the nation's ongoing hostility around issues of women's reproductive health and rights (Dreweke, 2016). The needs of women of reproductive age present unique public health and medical challenges during an emergency (Zotti, Ellington, & Perez, 2016). But the Zika virus outbreakddeclared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (Fauci & Morens, 2016)dneed not be a crisis.…”