Centering racial equity for better health outcomes

For more than one hundred years, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other marginalized groups have experienced disparities in health outcomes as a result of systemic racism. This reality is the driving force behind Planned Parenthood of Michigan's Centering Race Equity in Sexual Health Care and Education program.

The program addresses biases and economic barriers that prevent BIPOC and other marginalized groups from receiving the services they need. Due to systemic issues, the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities face significant disparities in the rates of health risks including pregnancy, abortion, infant mortality, maternal death, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan honors and respect all people. As an organization made up of people from many different identities and lived experiences, creating an awareness and understanding of the biases that exist, they are able to create a safe work environment for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ team members, which strengthens their ability to provide non-judgmental care and culturally sensitive education programs to their patients.

How your support makes an impact

For patients experiencing low incomes, especially those who are young and historically underserved, economic barriers can reduce access to care. To address this, Planned Parenthood offers low-fee or no-fee care to these patients. Services may include annual exams, screening for breast and cervical cancer, testing for STIs and HIV, PrEP, all birth control methods, pregnancy testing, abortion, options information and gender affirming care.

Planned Parenthood believes that education is a key component to reproductive health. They offer culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and comprehensive sex education. In addition to helping young people prevent pregnancy, STIs and HIV, the program also aims to help prevent child sex abuse, create safer school spaces for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth, and reduce relationship violence.