Introduction
Sexual and reproductive health is quite essential in each and every society. Statistics in United States show that out of ten HIV positive adults, eight are men. Gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital warts and Chlamydia among other sexually transmitted ailments are still rampant in the United States. Women still continue to go though so much in terms of reproductive health problems. (Smeeding, 2005, p. 955-983)
This clearly shows that sexual and reproductive health needs in United States are still quite high. This paper therefore describes a broad based approach to sexual and reproductive health in United States. It elaborates on the benefits of the approach and its current impact. There is also an elucidation on the difficulties encountered in the approach and how they were dealt with. Finally, the paper describes the current challenges and actions that might be taken to address them. (Klein, Martin 2008, 295)
Description of broad based approach
Analysis of sexual reproductive health in U.S shows that poverty reduction approach has been used. This was initiated in the year two thousand and four. The government of United States has specifically put a lot of effort in reduction of poverty. This is considering the fact that poverty was identified to be one of the major factors that highly contributed to poor sexual and reproductive health. (Smeeding, 2005, p. 955-983,)
The approach aims at putting in place government funds that have to be channelled to various institutions that help in enhancing sexual reproductive health in the nation. The low income people are also given free education on sexual and reproductive health. This also includes treatment of sexual and reproductive health ailments among this group of people.
The United States government also created an account where money for poverty reduction is kept. This approach was chosen such that education materials and facilities can be used to educate the poor about sexual and reproductive health.
This was chosen because the poor people in the society normally lack basic information about sexual and reproductive health. This therefore makes them to be highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted ailments. It was also noted that the poor women and adolescent girls have many reproductive health problems highly caused by inability to access quality healthcare.
This approach therefore channels funds to healthcare and educational institutions that help in educating the poor in the society. Healthcare facilities also help to treat the low income people affected by sexual and reproductive problems. This is program is implemented both in the rural and urban areas. (Smeeding, 2005, 955-983)
Benefits of the approach
This approach is highly beneficial in various ways. It highly helps in educating the low income people in the society about sexual and reproductive health. Through this program, many poor people suffering from sexual and reproductive health problems have been really helped.
It is a very holistic approach since it does not just look at the curative but also the preventive aspects of sexual and reproductive health. The fact that it deals with both men and women in rural and urban areas makes it highly effective in enhancing sexual and reproductive health in the society. (Merrick, 2002, p. 12-95)
Current impact
Analysis of the current impact shows that through this approach shows that it is commendable. It is clear that among the low income people in United Sates, seventy five percent are knowledgeable on sexual and reproductive health issues. This includes adolescents who are highly vulnerable.
This program has highly increased the rates of safe deliveries among low income women in United States by thirty percent. The number of men who are knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive health has increased by forty five percent. This is quite impressive considering that a large percentage of low income men are less knowledgeable on sexual and reproductive matters. These are statistics that were collected by February 2009.
Difficulties encountered and how they were dealt with
At the onset of the program, there were various difficulties that were encountered. One of the difficulties that were encountered in this program was identifying the institutions that would be used to implement the program. This was solved by checking out on the institutions that are mostly located in areas where there are low income people in the society. Another difficulty that was encountered included the lack of staffs to help in implementing the program. (Merrick, 2002, p. 12-95)
This was solved by recruiting and training more healthcare staffs to handle the activities relevant to this program. Initially, it was quite difficult to find the low income people. This was also dealt with by co-operating with the local authorities at the grassroots level. They were able to identify the low income people in every state and their names were forwarded. Some of them are single parents, street children and quite a large percentage of adolescents who come from low income families. (Smeeding, 2005, p. 955-983)
Current challenges
There are also current challenges that are currently being witnessed in this approach used to handle sexual and reproductive health. One of the major challenge to this approach concerns funds. With the global economic crunch, government funds allocated to this program have greatly reduced.
This has made it quite challenging to reach out to so many low income people in the society. Another challenge that relates to this program concerns the number of low income people in the society. The global economic crunch resulted in very many people losing jobs that were really supportive. This means that the numbers of low income people continue to escalate day by day and alleviation of sexual and reproductive health problems continue to be a mirage. (Merrick, 2002, p. 12-95)
Remedies
It is important that the program managers seeks out for more funds from donors among other stakeholders in order to enhance the sustainability of the approach The government needs to put in place proper measures such as policies that can improve the economy and reduce the numbers of low income people who are vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health problems. (Smeeding, 2005, p. 955-983)
Conclusion
In conclusion, sexual and reproductive health is quite imperative in the society. The approach that was incorporated in United States entailed poverty reduction. This is considering the fact that the low income people in the society are highly vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health problems.
It entailed provision of sexual and reproductive health care and education to this group of people. This program has been highly beneficial in enhancing sexual and reproductive health education in United States. The overall conclusion is that the program has been successful.
Bibliography
Klein, Martin; ‘Poverty Alleviation through Sustainable Strategic Business Models’; pp. 295; 2008
Merrick Thomas. ‘Population and Poverty; New Views on an Old Controversy’;
International Family Planning Perspectives; Volume 28; Number 1; 12-95, 2002
Smeeding, Timothy. ‘Public policy; economic inequality and poverty’, The United States
in comparative perspective; Social Science Quarterly; p., 955-983, 2005