Overview
Advocacy Think Tank: Reproductive Health
The topic of this module is reproductive health and related health disparities in the United States, but the overall focus of the module is on building your research and advocacy skills. This advocacy think tank discussion provides you with the opportunity to do your own research on issues in reproductive health and to propose an innovative policy or solution that addresses a specific health policy issue or health disparity.
Instructions
- Review and research: Carefully review the learning materials provided in the module and review relevant materials from earlier modules. Then do some of your own research on reproductive health. Try to find materials that help you discover new dimensions of the issue or expose you to the work of people attempting to solve problems.
- Explain what is known about the issue: 150-200 Words or equivalent video. Summarize what you understand to be the nature, extent, and causes of the reproductive health problem or issue you have chosen to write on. Also list the best 2-3 sources you have found on the issue, provide links to them, and write a 1-2 sentence explanation of what each source is or contributes to your understanding.
- Propose your solution: 250-300 words or equivalent video. Propose an innovative solution to the problem in reproductive health on which you are writing. Your solution may include any combination of financial, legal, technological, organizational, and cultural components that you feel are relevant. Who would need to implement the proposal or solution? Would it require legislation or regulatory change to be enacted?
- Discuss the political feasibility of your solution: 150-200 words or equivalent video. What support for or resistance to your proposal might you expect? What groups or constituencies might support it? What groups or constituencies might oppose it?
- Discuss the potential impact of your solution: 150-200 words or equivalent video. What do you anticipate would happen if your proposal were to be fully implemented? What impacts would you hope for? What unintended consequences, both negative and positive, might stem from implementing your proposal?
Reference:
Kozhimannil, K. B., Hernandez, E., Mendez, D. D., & Chapple-McGruder, T. (2019, February 4). Beyond the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act: Implementation and further policy change. Health Affairs Blog. DOI: 10.1377/hblog20190130.914004
Lewis, A. G., et al. (2025). Racial and ethnic disparities in reproductive medicine in the United States: A narrative review of contemporary high-quality evidence. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 232(1), 82-91.e44.
National Institute of Environmental Health Services. (n.d.). Reproductive health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions...
Shumway, J. (2023, October 24). Report: Abortions up nationwide post-Dobbs, soared in some states. Oregon Capital Chronicle. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2023/10/24/repo...
Sutton, M. Y., Anachebe, N. F., Lee, R., & Skanes, H. (2021). Racial and ethnic disparities in reproductive health Services and outcomes, 2020. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 137(2), 225–233. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004224
Winny, A. (2023, May 19). Abortion restrictions and the threat to women’s health: The abortion rights landscape a year after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Blog. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/a-year-without-r...