Unintended pregnancy is a complex issue that can have far reaching impacts on the health of individual women, infants and entire communities.  Efforts by communities to address this emotional issue can be further complicated by competing social, political, cultural, religious and medical factors.  The Indiana Perinatal Network recently completed a yearlong, statewide consensus building process, which culminated in a comprehensive Call to Action policy document.  This unique document includes actionable and measurable 10-year goals for the state and specific recommendations for the general public, health care providers, community organizations and public policy-makers. Specific position statements and the importance of striving for common ground for success with this issue are also highlighted in the document.  The Indiana Perinatal Network used a unique set of strategies to convene and maintain cohesion among a disparate group of public and private health care professionals, clergy, human service providers and family planning providers throughout the state.  The Indiana Section of ACOG and the Indiana Chapter of AAP have endorsed the document.  The Call to Action has also played a key role in promoting legislation to implement a Medicaid family planning waiver and convening a two-day statewide summit to explore solutions to this issue in more detail.

A copy of the document can be downloaded at

http://www.indianaperinatal.org/files/Unintended_CTA_120507.pdf

For more information, contact:

Larry Humbert, Executive Director

Indiana Perinatal Network

(317) 924-0825  x 4224

lhumbert@indianaperinatal.org