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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Belle Taylor-McGhee, Sharon Cohen Landau, MPH, and Ingrid Dries-Daffner, MPH. Pharmacy Access Partnership, 614 Grand Avenue, Suite 324, Oakland, CA 94610, 5102720150, btmcghee@phi.org

Approximately one-quarter of retail pharmacies in Los Angeles, California, provide direct pharmacy access to emergency contraception (EC) in which the pharmacist(s) initiates the EC prescription. Yet research shows that awareness about EC and its availability in pharmacies is relatively low, particularly in underserved communities. Additionally, Los Angeles has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the state, particularly among African Americans and Latinas. As such, a need exists to increase community awareness about EC availability in pharmacies with local government and public health support.

In 2006, Pharmacy Access Partnership initiated a targeted campaign in Los Angeles to improve EC pharmacy access and awareness through aggressive outreach, collaborative partnerships and local public support. The campaign was designed to solicit and coordinate support within the Los Angeles Mayor's office and the office of the Los Angeles County Health Officer in order to influence and increase public dollars dedicated to improve EC pharmacy access. The Los Angeles Initiative will serve as a case study for EC change and momentum throughout California. This presentation highlights the benchmarks and milestones of the Los Angeles Initiative.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Understand the strategies undertaken to improve EC pharmacy access in Los Angeles.
• Understand the potential benefits to EC coalition work targeted to specific communities.
• Consider similar initiatives in large urban communities as opportunities to influence public funding support.

Keywords: Access and Services, Contraception

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation