New York doctor indicted in Louisiana for allegedly prescribing abortion pills prompts support for abortion access
Other posts sought sexual and reproductive health resources after CDC web pages were removed and debated the pros and cons of birth control pills.
Other posts sought sexual and reproductive health resources after CDC web pages were removed and debated the pros and cons of birth control pills.
This past week, the indictment of a New York doctor who allegedly prescribed abortion pills online to a pregnant minor in Louisiana drove conversation about abortion pill safety. Other posts lamented the recent removal of CDC web pages and sought alternative resources around sexual and reproductive health. Plus, a viral post reignited concerns about the side effects of birth control pills.
In light of these conversations, communicators may recirculate information about abortion pills, share general sexual and reproductive health resources, and recirculate materials explaining the benefits of birth control pills and other birth control options.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in reproductive health conversation:
On January 30, articles reported that a New York doctor, who is also facing legal charges in Texas, was indicted for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online to a pregnant minor in Louisiana, where abortion is banned except in cases of rape or incest and where abortion pills are classified as “controlled dangerous substances.” The minor’s mother was also indicted. The following day, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the doctor and the minor’s mother. The minor who took the abortion pills allegedly experienced a medical emergency afterward, and while she was being treated at the hospital, police discovered how she had obtained the pills. One X post sharing a headline about the indictment received approximately 1.3 million views, 4,800 likes, 1,700 reposts, and 100 comments as of February 4. Most comments expressed support for the doctor and for abortion access. Politicians also spoke out against the doctor’s indictment on social media. Some comments, however, falsely questioned whether abortion pills are safe.
On January 31, the CDC removed pages from its website discussing STIs (including HIV), contraception, and LGBTQ+ health to comply with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders. Social media users expressed concern about the disappearing sexual and reproductive health resources, and some posts from doctors received hundreds of thousands of likes. Some commenters asked where they could find information on these subjects now that some of the CDC’s resources are unavailable.
On January 26, an X user shared a post that read, “Bring back the feminism that recognizes birth control as a pillar of women’s agency and liberation my god.” The post received approximately 4.2 million views, 142,000 likes, 10,000 reposts, and 200 comments as of February 4. Some comments agreed with the post, while others expressed concern about the side effects of birth control pills. One repost read, “Birth control is great, the societal expectation that women be on birth control despite the laundry list of side effects is not,” receiving more than 170,000 views as of February 4.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health.
In response to concerns about abortion pills, communicators may explain that decades of studies conclude that abortion pills are a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy and that the risk of major complications is less than 1 percent. Given fluctuating legal restrictions, communicators may want to recirculate information about abortion laws in their states and share the Repro Legal Hotline, which provides free, confidential legal services for people seeking abortions and other forms of reproductive health care. Directing target populations to Plan C, which provides information about accessing abortion pills in every state, is recommended.
The removal of the CDC’s sexual and reproductive health pages provides an opportunity to highlight alternative resources, such as Planned Parenthood, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, local LGBTQ+ health centers, and Scarleteen, a sexual and relationship education organization geared toward teens and young adults.
Persistent concerns about the side effects of birth control pills show a need for ongoing education. Communicators may explain that while birth control pills may cause mild side effects in some people, they typically go away within two to three months. Patients should talk to their health care provider if they have concerns about their current birth control. Messaging may reiterate that birth control pills are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy and that they can also reduce cramps, ease premenstrual symptoms, and make periods lighter. Some birth control pills can also prevent acne, iron deficiency, breast and ovarian cysts, bone thinning, and certain cancers. Highlighting the types of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control is recommended.