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African Americans for Planned Parenthood
African Americans face numerous obstacles to obtaining affordable, high-quality health care services. Planned Parenthood is committed to reducing racial disparities in reproductive health care, including the high rates of cancers, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy among African Americans, and will continue to work tirelessly for a health care system that provides affordable, high-quality care and treats all people with dignity.
Planned Parenthood is also committed to advancing the reproductive health and rights of African-American women and men at the local, state, and federal levels.
In 2011, the attacks on women’s health were the most aggressive this country has seen in a generation. While the attacks to take away federal funds from Planned Parenthood health centers and eliminate family planning services are ideological in nature, the practical and very real impact is that they take away much-needed health care services - lifesaving cancer screenings, affordable birth control, annual exams, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections - from millions of women who need it the most.
On this page you will find important information about Planned Parenthood vital health care services, advocacy, and outreach in the African-American community, and health-related news and issues that affect you.
Planned Parenthood is here as a resource to help you stay informed, get involved, empower communities of color, and defend and protect access to affordable, high-quality health care. Please join us.
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Celebrating Black History Month
African Americans experience higher rates of reproductive cancers, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections than most other groups of Americans.
The Facts on African American-Women and Health Care
African Americans face greater obstaces to obtaining sexual and reproductive heath services than most other groups of Amercans.
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African-American News and Views
African-American reproductive health issues in the media.
Celebrating Black History Month
Planned Parenthood is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of African Americans. The rich and enduring contributions of African Americans are indelibly woven into our national fabric. The inspiring stories of struggle and achievement, and the contributions of African Americans in all fields have shaped our culture, communities, and country. We are grateful to the remarkable individuals who envisioned justice and equality for all, and had the courage, amidst the greatest odds, to fight for change.
That is why Planned Parenthood is proud to salute the many African-American leaders for their contributions, including those that supported Planned Parenthood, such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune, W.E.B. Dubois, A. Philip Randolph, and Adam Clayton Powell, among others throughout our history. We are equally proud of the leaders today that stand with Planned Parenthood, such as Benjamin Jealous, president of the NAACP, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), both organizations that we had the opportunity to participate with on the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, and a CBC luncheon and forum at the CBC Annual Legislative Conference, both in Washington, DC. In 2011, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund was proud to join a NAACP rally and march against voter disenfranchisement in New York City.
NATIONAL PREMIERE OF A VITAL SERVICE DOCUMENTARY
This Black History Month, Planned Parenthood is especially proud to announce the national launch of the compelling documentary, A Vital Service: African-American Stories of Reproductive Health Care. A Vital Service will premiere nationally in Washington, DC, New York, NY, and Atlanta, GA, as well as on over 70 college campuses (including several historically black colleges and universities) during Black History Month. This important film is projected to be shown in communities throughout the country in the coming year.
A Vital Service is an original documentary produced by Planned Parenthood Federation of America that provides a powerful glance at the clinicians, educators, patients, activists, and supporters in African-American communities. The film includes personal stories from the women and families who have benefitted from having access to the critical health services offered at Planned Parenthood health centers.
A Vital Service aims to spur a dialogue on topics that are often seen as taboo or difficult, particularly in the African-American community. The film can be used to build support for important services, such as cancer screenings, Pap tests, affordable birth control, and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. And it can help eliminate the stigma associated with talking about sexual and reproductive health.
Watch the trailer (3 minutes)
Watch the full film (20 minutes)
FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Feb. 7 A Vital Service National Screening & Panel Discussion – Washington, DC
Feb. 7 National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Feb. 14 – 21 National Condom Week
Feb. 16 Black History Month Clergy Breakfast, sponsored by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Washington, DC
Feb. 23 A Vital Service National Screening & Panel Discussion – Atlanta, GA
Feb. 27 A Vital Service National Screening & Panel Discussion – New York, NY
Also during the month of February, over 70 college campuses and youth outreach programs across the country will be launching the “Sex, Love, & Action” Youth Campaign. Through a myriad of exciting and engaging events, such as screenings of A Vital Service, students will have the opportunity to speak with their peers about the crucial services that Planned Parenthood health centers provide and the importance of Planned Parenthood organizations in the African-American community. Students will submit letters to the editor, host poetry slams, and table events to create awareness about the health disparities that exist across the nation and Planned Parenthood’s vital role in closing the gap to improve the health of our young people
The Facts on African-American Women and Health Care
African Americans face greater obstacles to obtaining sexual and reproductive health services than most other groups of Americans. They experience higher rates of reproductive cancers, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. Because they are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, they are forced to delay care and are diagnosed later than others with the same health problems, ultimately resulting in higher death rates.
Here are the facts:
- African-American women with cervical cancer are twice as likely to lose their lives to this disease as are white women.
- African Americans, while representing 14 percent of the U.S. population, account for 69 percent of gonorrhea cases and about half of all cases of chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis.
- In 2010, 20.5 percent of African Americans were uninsured, as compared to 11.7 percent of whites.
- African-American women have more than double the unintended pregnancy rate of white women. As a result, African-American women also have higher rates of abortion.
When it comes to reproductive health, African Americans face a distinct challenge. That’s why Planned Parenthood is committed to advancing the health of African-American women across the nation.
Here’s how we work with the African American community:
- One in five women in the U.S. has visited a Planned Parenthood health center at some point in her life.
- Planned Parenthood health centers provide family planning services and contraception that help prevent an estimated 584,000 unintended pregnancies and 277,000 abortions every year.
- In 2010, 14 percent of Planned Parenthood patients were African Americans — more than 400,000 people.
- Between 2001 and 2010, the number of African-American patients increased by 36 percent, with a 27 percent increase in African-American male clients.
- Every year, Planned Parenthood affiliates provide family planning counseling and contraception to 2.2 million patients, including 280,000 African-American women in 2010.
For more information on the services we provide to the African-American community, and more information on Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities, download our fact sheets.
African-American News and Views
“Why African Americans Support Abortion Rights”: huffingtonpost.com/veronica-byrd/african-americans-abortion-rights_b_920288.html
“Why Birth Control With No Co-Pay Will Help African American Women”: huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-cullins/why-free-birth-control-wi_1_b_916702.html
“Time to Start Talking”: huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-cullins/african-american-std-sti-prevention_b_959269.html
“Why Parents Need to Talk With Their Kids About Sex”: huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-cullins/talking-to-kids-about-sex_b_992463.html