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Adding Value to Reproductive Health Research

Adding Value to Reproductive Health Research. Communicating about the moral dimensions of science. The Added Values Project A new initiative from the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. ARHP’s Irvin M. Cushner Award. Leading 20 th century public health advocate

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Adding Value to Reproductive Health Research

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  1. Adding Valueto Reproductive Health Research Communicating about the moral dimensions of science The Added Values Project A new initiative from the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals

  2. ARHP’s Irvin M. Cushner Award • Leading 20th century public health advocate • Reproductive health care innovator • Influential leader, educator, policymaker • Director, Center for Social Studies in Human Reproduction • Professor, Johns Hopkins & UCLA • Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs, DHHS

  3. Wanda Jones, DrPH • 1998 Clinton appointment to DHHS • Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health • Director, Office of Women’s Health • 1988 – 1997: CDC • Associate director for women’s health • Associate director for science, HIV/AIDS • HIV/AIDS laboratory trainer

  4. Wanda Jones, DrPH • Advocacy • National leader in women’s health, HIV/AIDS, STIs, health access • Science • Microbiologist, public health researcher, laboratory practice expert • Education • PhD public health, lab practice, UNC • Masters medical technology, Penn State

  5. Wanda Jones, DrPH • Health advocate for patients & providers • Eliminating women’s health disparities • Preventing violence against women • HIV/AIDS prevention & treatment • Disabilities • Established groundbreaking agencies • National Centers of Excellence in Women’s Health • National Community Centers of Excellence • National Women’s Health Information Center • National Minority Women’s Health Expert Panel

  6. “Moral Values Malarkey” • AP Exit Poll • Q: “Which issue mattered most in deciding how you voted for president?” Dick Meyers, Against the Grain, CBSnews.com November 5, 2004

  7. Moral Values? KERRY BUSH • Moral Values (22%) 18% 80% • Economy/Jobs (20%) 80% 18% • Terrorism (19%) 14% 86% • Iraq (15%) 73% 23% • Health Care (8%) 77% 23% • Taxes (5%) 73% 26%

  8. Same AP Poll • Abortion • 55% want it to remain legal • Stem cell research • Ample support

  9. Moral Values? • Honesty • Responsibility • Fairness • Freedom • Empathy • Self-determination • Knowledge

  10. AP Poll “Message” • Perception • “Moral values” equals opposition to abortion, gay marriage • Reality • “Moral values” equal different things to different people

  11. Religious Example • “Lost Christianities” • Gospel of Thomas • Gospel of Mary Magdalene • Gospel of Judas • Carpocratians Bart D. Ehrman

  12. Perception of Science: Professionals • “We depend too much on science & not enough on faith” • “Scientific research these days doesn't pay enough attention to the moral values of society” • “Scientific research has created as many problems for society as it has solutions”

  13. Perception of Science: The Public • “We depend too much on science & not enough on faith” • “Scientific research these days doesn't pay enough attention to the moral values of society” • “Scientific research has created as many problems for society as it has solutions”

  14. Perception of Science: The Public

  15. Perception of Science: The Public

  16. Ideology vs Science • Preserving Core Values in Science Initiative (ARHP & RHTP) • Plan B debacle • Inappropriate Federal appointments • Declining support for environmental regulation • Integrity of Science Initiative (UCS) • Successfully raised awareness about the issues

  17. Values Project “Now is the time to assertively begin the long-term process that can help define and incorporate our own moral principles into reproductive health education and advocacy work” Felicia H. Stewart, MD

  18. Scientific Values: What Are They? • Evidence-based science is key to positive health outcomes & a fulfilling life • Pursue answers to questions with honesty • Encourage curiosity & questioning • Use results to promote common good • Recognize the importance of diversity • and many more. . .

  19. Values Project: Goals • Make positive values associated with reproductive health science a valued part of everyday life • Communicate positive moral attributes of our research to the public • Use easily understood language • Emphasize shared values • Inform health care practice & policy

  20. Values Project: Objectives • Professionals • Ensure that the positive values associated with reproductive health and science are discussed in every appropriate forum • Public • Develop solid, carefully refined policy concepts with language & communication approaches that explain reproductive health science & its positive values

  21. Values Project: Our Challenges • Learn to speak the language of nonscientists • Appeal to the positive aspects of belief systems outside of our experience • Communicate key scientific values to general audiences who can benefit • Communicate the positive benefits of change to friends & allies • Learn to be political not electoral

  22. Why a “Values” Project? • Public majority does not understand the positive values of science in their everyday lives • Moderate to progressive movement is ready for new directions • Informed public has the best chance to initiate change for the better • Sustainable change can only happen if it is values driven

  23. Absolute risk reduction (attributable risk) Relativerisk Absoluterisk Why Start With Reproductive Health? • Touchstone for heated political debate • Target for misunderstanding & scientific assault • Affects the majority of people’s lives • Has great potential to effect change • Can be a model for other moderate to progressive movements • WE ARE UNDER SIEGE!!

  24. Reproductive Health: The New “Code Word”

  25. UN treaty rejects new rights to abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality • “The UN meeting on the rights of persons with disabilities was on balance a success for pro-lifers.” TheFactIs.com, September 1, 2006

  26. WHO Report: “Global Promotion of Abortion” • “One of the most interminable and vociferous debates at the UN is over the meaning and application of the phrase ‘reproductive health’.” Douglas Sylva TheFactIs.com

  27. Values Project: Assumptions • Long-term project (15+ years) • No association with election politics • Learn from past mistakes & opponents’ successes • Identify fresh tactics & new trends • Be willing to adapt & change • If the status quo is no longer working, seek change • Seek change through experimentation • Duplication of effort can be positive

  28. Values Project: How will it work? PHASE 1 • Review of existing & in-process research • Embark on values-based qualitative research • Develop written communications & outreach plan • Internalize research results • Develop a faculty training program & national education project • Identify metrics & monitoring tactics

  29. Values Project: How will it work? PHASE 2 • Extend the equity of science as a valued part of life for everyday Americans • Train & place expert speakers • Advocacy, relationship management • Launch marketing plan for paid & earned media. • Establish ongoing venues for discussion & change • Monitor for success & lessons learned

  30. Values Project: Timeframe • Focus on long-term change • A truly informed public must be educated on the full range of reproductive health services • the value its adds to their lives • the importance of science in determining reproductive health innovations & policies

  31. Values Project: Timeframe • “. . .and this must be done carefully, over time, in recognition of the true diversity of cultures, values, and belief systems that make up our societies” Contraception, September 2006

  32. The Landscape: Media Influence • Positive • Widespread dispersion of reproductive health information • Negative • Misperceptions promulgated • Incomplete information (7 seconds) • Business of selling news trumps science • Risks not put in context

  33. The Landscape: Political Influence • Positive • Debate about health care issues & benefits • Platform to express beliefs • Negative • Mistrusted, not credible • Perception of bias • Policy sacrificed for elections

  34. The Landscape: Academic Influence • Positive • Emphasis on value of scientific process • Self critical • Negative • “Out of touch” with everyday life • Communication not emphasized • Apolitical?

  35. The Landscape: Social Influence • Positive • Comfort with the familiar • Trusted sources of information • New ways to talk • Negative • Misperception, myth, indifference about science • Junk flourishes

  36. The Landscape: Spiritual Influence • Positive • Reassurance of belief systems • Sometimes a marker of self-growth • Some religious platforms are pro-reproductive health & pro-science • Negative • Misperception, myth, indifference about science • Morality & religion intertwined

  37. The Landscape: Personal Beliefs • Positive • Personal conviction & experience • Reinforced by social interactions • We are all sexual • Negative • Lack of perception of personal biases • Easy to feel overwhelmed • Environmentally dependent

  38. Your Challenge • Suspend Disbelief • Be political • Carpe Diem • Lifelong learning

  39. A Final Thought “Viví dentro del monstruo y le conozco sus entrañas, y mi honda es la de David” José Martí

  40. Questions Let’s talk about the future To become involved valuesproject@arhp.org David Grimes, MD 2006.

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