Reproductive Health

Research indicates that social work is constantly faced with social problems influenced by local and global processes. Reproductive health is no exception to the challenges that are relevant to social work practice, research, and policy. These same challenges present opportunities for learning and successful interventions and social policy development. Reproductive health is inclusive of sexual health as well as sexual and reproductive rights. In reviewing the literature on reproductive health, it is important to highlight the interrelationship of psychological and mental health aspects of reproductive health, diverse communities in North America, and international perspectives. A distinction is made between North America and international to highlight the diverse communities of America. As reproductive health approaches grow to become more integrated and translational, the link to HIV and AIDS while limited initiates the need for understanding related to the co-morbidity of clients and communities that exist. The National Association of Social Workers supports “public policies and legislation, nationally and internationally, that recognize a woman’s authority over her own sexual life and reproductive choices, free from coercion, violence, and discrimination,” as indicated on their website. In keeping with the broad mission of the social work profession to promote social justice, the relationship of reproductive health to rights and policy are highlighted. The implications to social work are broadly mentioned as an introduction to stimulate further discussion and exploration for the reader. The overviews and annotations while not exhaustive set the stage for initial inquiries of reproductive and sexual health. In addition, this article serves primarily as a great resource for multiple readers, including graduate students; faculty engaged in course reading lists; and social work practitioners seeking applied research and frameworks to inform their practice, research, and policy development. It should be noted that the section on Definitions Overview ensures clarity on understanding what is referred to as reproductive health. Peer-reviewed research articles and organizational guides and resources are cited. It should be noted that male reproductive health and involvement are essential for addressing reproductive and sexual health in social work, and are presented throughout the list of annotations. The logic of the headings bridge from a definition of reproductive health that is inclusive of sexual health. The international perspectives provide a broad perspective that moves to a more specific global region of North America. Links between reproductive health and HIV and AIDS, as an example to highlight the co-morbidities that exist among clients and communities alike, are important considerations for social workers. Keeping in alignment with social justice as a tenet of social work, the inclusion of rights and policy are important. The implications to social work illustrate how practice, research, and policy are informed by these issues. It should be noted that the reproductive and sexual health needs and rights of men will also be addressed within this topic of bibliographies, but the needs and rights of women and girls will be emphasized, as women account for 20 percent of the global burden on reproductive and sexual ill-health, compared to men at 14 percent, according to “Conclusions” (in Mental Health Aspects of Women’s Reproductive Health), by M. C. de Mello and S. Saxena (cited under Psychological/Mental Health Aspects and available on the WHO website).