Essential Access Health

The United States is facing a syphilis epidemic and alarming rate increases are being tracked across the nation. Reported syphilis cases rose 80% in the U.S. from 2018 to 2022. If left undetected, Syphilis can have long term and devastating health impacts. The good news is that it is preventable and treatable, and Essential Access is working to ensure that everyone, everywhere can get the STI care they need. Our STI Prevention Center is a leading resource for best practices in STI screening, testing, and treatment. To learn more about this valuable resource, visit https://lnkd.in/emGFEm7V

Essential Access Health proudly recognizes the service and contributions of our #TitleX providers for #NationalHealthCenterWeek!    Today, we are excited to spotlight St. John's Community Health 🌟🧡   St. John’s provides comprehensive family planning services that empower the community to take control of their sexual + reproductive health and wellness.    Since their founding, St. John’s has played a critical role in establishing a progressive public health agenda in Los Angeles, working in solidarity with the community and partner organizations to ensure the equitable distribution of healthcare resources.   Their integrated, holistic approach to sexual health and education prioritizes prevention, proactive planning, and early treatment.   Thank you for being a valued member of our #TitleX provider network, St. John’s Community Health 🫶✨#TitleXStrong

For #NationalHealthCenterWeek, we’re celebrating community health centers and their essential role as sexual and reproductive health care providers in their communities.   Today, we are excited to spotlight San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department 🎉✨   County of SLO provides friendly, confidential, free and low-cost reproductive + sexual health services, in addition to providing access to culturally and linguistically responsive information and resources.   By taking part in outreach events, hosting pop-up vaccine clinics, sharing information, and even helping schedule appointments on the spot, the SLO team works hard to ensure community members know their clinic is a safe and welcoming place to get care.    Thank you for being a valued member of our #TitleX provider network, San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department 🫶✨#TitleXStrong

📣 Attention healthcare providers + educators! 📣 We still have space in our upcoming contraceptive counseling course! Join Essential Access Health's nationally-recognized comprehensive contraceptive counseling course for health providers + educators. This is a valuable opportunity to get certified in #contraceptivecounseling best practices with a reproductive justice framework. Begins August 6th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PT | Four Weeks | Online Course Price: $500 / $400 for CA + HI Title X Provider Network Members In this interactive, four-week online course, participants learn how to provide patient-centered contraceptive counseling based on individual preferences and family planning desires, receive non-coercive informed consent for contraception, and integrate STI prevention messaging. Participants will also learn how to comply with privacy and mandatory reporting laws while providing confidential sexual and reproductive health services. Register at https://lnkd.in/eWJtqXiv

Bringing medication abortion to student health centers on college campuses is an essential step towards expanding access to abortion care.    Join us for an exciting conversation about bringing abortion access to university campuses on Wednesday, August 21st, at 12:00 PM (PT), hosted by Reproductive Health Access Project & Advocates for Youth.    Annie Sumberg, Associate Vice President of Capacity Building at Essential Access Health, will present along with student organizers, college health providers and staff, and administrative experts. Panelists will share their knowledge and experiences related to #medicationabortion access on college campuses.   Signup here: https://lnkd.in/epMWAdZQ

This week, we celebrate the 59th anniversary of #Medicaid, a federal program that extends comprehensive health coverage, including sexual + reproductive health care, to people with low incomes and families across the country. We must keep #MedicaidStrong and protect + expand access to care for ALL.

We are excited to announce that Shannon K. Olivieri Hovis has joined Essential Access Health as our new Vice President of Public Affairs! Shannon (she/her) is a policy expert, political strategist, and passionate LGBTQ leader with more than 15 years of experience as a changemaker in California state and local government, electoral campaigns, the classroom, and mission-driven advocacy. For the past six years, Shannon served as a close partner to Essential Access in her role as Director of Reproductive Freedom for All California (formerly NARAL). As Vice President of Public Affairs, Shannon will serve as a member of the Essential Access Health Executive Leadership Team and oversee public policy, advocacy, strategic communications, and community engagement and outreach. Shannon previously worked as a senior policy advisor to Attorney General Kamala Harris, in the State Legislature, and in the Sacramento Mayor’s office. Welcome, Shannon!

Last week, we celebrated the first anniversary of the FDA's groundbreaking approval of OTC birth control ⭐️💊 Essential Access is committed to ensuring access to OTC contraception is equitable and affordable for ALL. #FreeThePill

We have a new member of the Essential Access team! Rae Chelle Venua (she/her) has joined us as our new Training + Design Specialist. In this role, Rae Chelle will conduct training and technical assistance for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) professionals across the country. Prior to joining Essential Access, Rae Chelle implemented evidence-based sexual health education in middle school, high school, and community-based settings. She has also facilitated SRH instruction as a teaching associate at California State University, San Bernardino, worked as part of the Riverside County Department of Public Health’s community COVID-19 response team, and most recently was a trainer with Brilliant Corners, a supportive housing organization working to design and implement staff assessment and training. Welcome, Rae Chelle! ❤️

It’s been one year since the FDA approved Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the US! 🎉👏🥳🎉 Access to birth control is a fundamental human right, and over-the-counter birth control pills enable people to take charge of their reproductive health and lives without unnecessary barriers. Essential Access is proud to be part of the Free the Pill coalition, which organized and advocated for nearly two decades to make this victory happen. But the work is not over yet. We must ensure all Californians, regardless of health insurance coverage or income, have equitable access to birth control without unnecessary delays or barriers. #FreeThePill