UNIVERSAL ACCESS to reproductive health is key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. MDG 5, “Improve Maternal Health,” particularly target 5b, “Achieve Universal Access to Reproductive Health,” is the most off-track of all MDGs, even though the critical importance of reproductive health to development has been widely acknowledged. Universal access to reproductive health is the key to:

• reducing maternal mortality
• preventing unwanted pregnancies
• curbing the spread of sexuality transmitted infections, including HIV, and AIDS
• empowering women and girls
• building a more sustainable world for all people

In this Fall 09 issue of Reaching Out, you will learn of some of the steady progress we are making in partnership with our 41 Member Associations.  We capture our commitment to improve health and choices for millions left in the shadows. Although there is an overwhelming need for contraceptives in Latin American and Caribbean, IPPF/WHR is stepping in to pick up the slack. Our mobile health units in Bolivia travel on treacherous terrain to serve women like Dinonicia Olimbo Vega who lives in a remote village and walks two hours with her 5-year-old daughter to see a doctor.  And, Alex Sanger contributes an OpEd about Fetal Personhood Laws.

In 2008, our 41 Member Associations in Latin America and the Caribbean provided 29, 819,125 services. We helped improve individual lives, change attitudes and reduce poverty’s grip throughout the region. We drove on rugged mountain roads to serve women living in remote villages, miles from the nearest clinic. We were in the forefront of opposition to restrictive laws repressive policies and that deprive women of their dignity and the right to determine their own reproductive destinies.  We also empowered young people through peer education programs and increased their access to appropriate sexual and reproductive health education, information and services.

This meta-analysis was conducted to better understand the relationship between sustainability and reaching the poor.