Public Health Approaches to Abortion from Coursera

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Syllabus

Course introduction

This course is intended to provide an introduction to the topic of abortion from public health and social science perspectives for a wide range of learners. If you are new to the topic or would just like to brush up on evidence-based information on abortion, this course is for you. In our work we have noticed that few resources exist in public health that directly address the topic of abortion at an introductory level and thus we wanted to develop a resource that is accessible for all. Throughout this course, we feature expert-led lectures from Emory University faculty, collaborators and alumni and focus on scientific data on what is known about the importance of abortion to comprehensive reproductive health care as well as the implications of access to abortion care for populations. We will cover topics related to defining terms, clinical aspects, access to abortion and implications of non-access to services, the history of abortion and abortion policy in the US, how we conceptualize and measure abortion in public health, the influence of abortion stigma, and the implications and relationship between abortion and the larger reproductive health of populations including maternal mortality. You can choose to go in the order suggested or jump around to Modules that most interest you. Throughout there are questions to test your knowledge and activities which ask you to reflect on your own beliefs, values, and norms related to abortion. You will find an activity section in each module. To take full advantage, we encourage you to engage in the suggested reflections and values clarification exercises as you move through this course.

What is abortion

In this module, participants will learn about the medical options to end pregnancy, the correct terminology to accurately discuss abortion, the types of abortion that exist, as well as statistics on abortion patients and their safety. This module addresses the intersection of abortion with other rights issues and the factors that influence individual beliefs about abortion.

Clinical Procedures

This module will detail evidence-based abortion options, including the two major types of abortion: medical and procedural abortion. It will highlight abortion safety, efficacy and elements that influence provision of quality care that meets the needs of patients.

History of abortion & policy in the US

In this module, learners will begin to understand both the history and current landscape of federal and state abortion policies in the United States. They will understand the interaction between these types of policies and their impact on individuals living in communities. This module is an introduction to different types of state-level regulations that can make abortion access more difficult and gives a case study example of the impact of public health research on changing abortion policy.

Access to abortion care

This module will provide an overview of factors that influence whether and how an individual can access abortion services using examples largely based in the context of the U.S. and will highlight changes in abortion access immediately after the fall of Roe v. Wade. It will also summarize research findings on the impacts on the lives of individuals who are not able to access a wanted abortion.

Abortion Stigma

In this module, participants will be introduced to the concept of stigma, how it applies to abortion, and its consequences. Participants will learn about the process of stigma, how abortion stigma manifests for individuals, communities, and providers. This module will also highlight social and health outcomes of abortion stigma. Finally, evidence-based interventions for abortion stigma will be introduced.

Epidemiology of Abortion: Understanding Measurement, Data and Patterns

This module will provide an overview of epidemiology of abortion, including trends and patterns of abortion in the United States. Our first lesson in the module provides a discussion of abortion measurement, including an overview of definitions, reporting processes, and data sources. Our second lesson describes abortion patterns in the U.S., highlighting trends in abortion incidence and racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in abortion in the U.S. over the last 50 years.

Maternal Mortality

In this module, participants will be introduced to the concepts of maternal morbidity and mortality, trends and disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality within the United States. This module will also discuss determinants of disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality. Finally, this module will also discuss the influence of abortion policy on maternal mortality and evidence surrounding its effects.

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to learn with us. Now that you have completed our course, consider how you can share this information more broadly with your friends, family and coworkers. We hope that you take this information as the first step in your journey to continue learning. We have included several resources throughout the course that we hope you revisit and share with members of your community or pursue more in-depth based on your interests. We encourage you to check out our course resources again and again. Emory is a leader in the field of sexual and reproductive health and abortion research, mentoring, and teaching. If you would like to learn more about how you can become involved, pursue a degree in public health, or support these fabulous programs and scholarships for students we encourage you to see the links at the end of this module. We hope that you enjoyed this course!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores a topic rife with misinformation and disinformation, providing evidence-based and accessible foundational knowledge

Emphasizes public health and social science perspectives, accessible for general audiences

Instructed by researchers and community partners from Emory University

Provides opportunities for self-reflection and critical thinking through case studies and activities

Requires no prerequisites, suitable for beginners

Examines abortion from multiple perspectives, including reproductive justice, rights, health, and life course

Career center

Learners who complete Public Health Approaches to Abortion will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Abortion Counselor

An Abortion Counselor provides information and support to individuals considering abortion. This role may include discussing the medical and emotional aspects of abortion, providing referrals to abortion providers, and assisting with the decision-making process. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Abortion Counselors build a foundation in the medical, social, and legal aspects of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the ethical and value-based dimensions of abortion, which can be helpful in providing non-judgmental support to clients.

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Public Health Educator

A Public Health Educator develops and implements educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This role may include teaching about sexual and reproductive health, providing information about abortion, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Public Health Educators build a foundation in the epidemiology, history, and policy of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in developing effective educational programs.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policy issues to inform decision-making. This role may include analyzing the impact of abortion policies on public health, developing recommendations for policy changes, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Policy Analysts build a foundation in the legal and ethical dimensions of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and economic factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in developing evidence-based policy recommendations.

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Social Worker

A Social Worker provides counseling and support to individuals and families facing challenges. This role may include providing counseling to individuals considering abortion, supporting individuals who have had abortions, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Social Workers build a foundation in the social and emotional aspects of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the legal and ethical dimensions of abortion, which can be helpful in providing support to clients.

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Community Health Worker

A Community Health Worker provides health education and support to individuals and families in their community. This role may include providing information about sexual and reproductive health, providing referrals to abortion providers, and assisting with the decision-making process. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Community Health Workers build a foundation in the medical and social aspects of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the ethical and value-based dimensions of abortion, which can be helpful in providing non-judgmental support to clients.

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Reproductive Health Researcher

A Reproductive Health Researcher conducts research on sexual and reproductive health issues. This role may include studying the epidemiology of abortion, developing new methods of abortion care, and evaluating the impact of abortion policies on public health. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Reproductive Health Researchers build a foundation in the epidemiology, history, and policy of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in designing and conducting research studies.

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Obstetrician-Gynecologist

An Obstetrician-Gynecologist provides medical care to women throughout their lives, including providing abortion care. This role may include performing abortions, providing counseling to individuals considering abortion, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Obstetrician-Gynecologists build a foundation in the medical and legal dimensions of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in providing compassionate and evidence-based care to patients.

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Nurse Practitioner

A Nurse Practitioner provides primary care to patients, including providing abortion care. This role may include performing abortions, providing counseling to individuals considering abortion, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Nurse Practitioners build a foundation in the medical and legal dimensions of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in providing compassionate and evidence-based care to patients.

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Midwife

A Midwife provides care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, including providing abortion care. This role may include performing abortions, providing counseling to individuals considering abortion, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Midwives build a foundation in the medical and legal dimensions of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in providing compassionate and evidence-based care to patients.

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Lawyer

A Lawyer may provide legal advice and representation to individuals and organizations on a variety of issues, including abortion. This role may include representing clients in abortion cases, advocating for policies that support access to abortion care, and providing legal education on abortion. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Lawyers build a foundation in the legal and ethical dimensions of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in providing effective legal representation to clients.

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Journalist

A Journalist reports on news and current events, including issues related to abortion. This role may include writing articles about abortion, interviewing experts on abortion, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Journalists build a foundation in the medical, social, and legal aspects of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the ethical and value-based dimensions of abortion, which can be helpful in reporting on abortion in a fair and accurate manner.

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Teacher

A Teacher provides instruction and support to students in a variety of subjects, including health education. This role may include teaching about sexual and reproductive health, providing information about abortion, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Teachers build a foundation in the medical, social, and legal aspects of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the ethical and value-based dimensions of abortion, which can be helpful in teaching about abortion in a fair and accurate manner.

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Counselor

A Counselor provides counseling and support to individuals and families facing a variety of challenges, including issues related to abortion. This role may include providing counseling to individuals considering abortion, supporting individuals who have had abortions, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Counselors build a foundation in the social and emotional aspects of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the legal and ethical dimensions of abortion, which can be helpful in providing support to clients.

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Clergy

A Clergy member provides spiritual guidance and support to individuals and families, including issues related to abortion. This role may include providing counseling to individuals considering abortion, supporting individuals who have had abortions, and advocating for policies that support access to abortion care. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Clergy members build a foundation in the ethical and value-based dimensions of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in providing compassionate and non-judgmental support to clients.

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Researcher

A Researcher conducts research on a variety of topics, including issues related to abortion. This role may include studying the epidemiology of abortion, developing new methods of abortion care, and evaluating the impact of abortion policies on public health. The Public Health Approaches to Abortion course can help Researchers build a foundation in the epidemiology, history, and policy of abortion. The course also provides an understanding of the social and cultural factors that influence abortion decision-making, which can be helpful in designing and conducting research studies.

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Public Health Approaches to Abortion

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