The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

4023.0: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - Board 10

Abstract #60113

Networks of support: After-abortion counseling talkline provides linkages to community health resources and social services

Aspen Baker1, Taylor A. Haas, MSc2, and Yvette P. Cuca, MPH, MIA1. (1) Exhale, 484 Lake Park Avenue, #63, Oakland, CA 94610, 510-446-7900, aspen@4exhale.org, (2) Consultant, 717 Kansas Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

A woman’s decision to have an abortion is influenced by a wide variety of behavioral, lifestyle, cultural and social factors, including economic resources, relationships, community norms and political and religious beliefs. These factors, combined with the quality of the abortion service, personal coping expectations and the controversy surrounding the topic, influence a woman’s emotional response following the procedure. For minority women who, because of their culture or language, may experience additional barriers to accessing appropriate health and social resources, anonymous and confidential after-abortion telephone counseling helps address behavioral and social factors that contribute to health, while providing a gateway to additional services and resources to create a network of support that extends beyond the talkline. As an integral link in the San Francisco Bay Area's network of social and health services, the Exhale talkline respects and works within each caller's belief system - religious, social, political - to support their needs. Counselor training focuses on myriad cultural, spiritual, economic, health and sexual issues related to the abortion experience. To further the health and well-being of women, the talkline refers callers to a variety of other community resources as needed, including domestic violence, suicide prevention, youth crisis, rape crisis, and social service agencies, as well as food banks and medical and mental health providers. Using data from calls in the first two years, this paper examines frequency and types of post-abortion callers, referrals made to social and health resources, and challenges and lessons learned in serving cultural and linguistic minorities.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Post-Abortion, Minority Health

Related Web page: www.4exhale.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Executive Director

Services and Health Promotion Influencing Lifestyle Changes

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA