Abortion: Access and Challenges for People with Substance Use Disorders

About this event:

The drug crisis has emphasized the need to improve access to addiction treatment and resources for pregnant patients that have substance use disorder (SUD), there has been relatively little attention to the unique needs of these patients who wish to terminate their pregnancies.  

Even in cases where financial and logistical supports could potentially be engaged, the physical and policy demands of abortion procedures makes it difficult to access termination services for people who have substance use disorder. This program will describe the legal, medical, and social aspects of abortion access in the hope that the medical community can begin to support patients. There will be space at the end of this program for presenters to respond to Q&A.

Target Audience: This program is designed for all of those who work in settings that support pregnant patients who use drugs.

Learning Objective: After this program, participants will be able to describe the legal, medical, and social challenges of abortion access in Philadelphia.

Presenters: 

• Aasta Mehta, MD, Medical Officer, Maternal, Child and Family Health, Division of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health
• Melissa Weiler Gerber, JD, CEO, AccessMatters
• Keah Patterson, CRS, Recovery Support Services Supervisor, Unity Recovery
• Kara Pravdo, MSN, CRNP, Core Faculty, Outreach Coordinator,  & Nurse Practitioner, Einstein Complex Family Planning Center in Philadelphia

Cost: None

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/423281304777

Supported in part by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health