Young adults, health insurance, and access to contraception in the wake of health care reform: Results from focus group discussions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Summary
Ibis Reproductive Health. Young adults, health insurance & access to contraception in the wake of health care reform: Results from focus group discussions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Summary. April 2010.
A coalition of Massachusetts health service providers, advocates, and researchers are collaborating on a unique, statewide project to reduce unplanned pregnancy among young adults in the wake of health care reform in the Commonwealth. This two-year initiative is focused on better understanding the individual, community, provider, and structural factors that influence the contraceptive behaviors of young adults aged 18 to 26 and on developing strategies to ensure that this age group has the resources they need to lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives. This includes making decisions about whether and when to become parents. Formative research will inform actions led by a statewide, multi-agency Taskforce to improve the health care system and better prepare health service providers to care for young adults. REaDY promises to offer a model for addressing pregnancy prevention and planning for young adults at the state level. Research findings and lessons learned will also inform national health care reform.