REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS

This article serves as the introduction to a supplement that assembles various papers concerning medical abortion. It addresses different aspects of medical abortion, approaching it from different perspectives and examining the role it can play in different contexts. For example, at the conceptual level, medical abortion is said to be changing how we understand and interpret the WHO definition of unsafe abortion. Studies are referenced which show that outpatient medical abortion can save public health services money. It is suggested that expanding access to medical

This article examines the need for cooperation between a state and the international community when implementing right-to-health obligations and reducing maternal mortality. The authors use Uganda as a case study to highlight four important points about maternal mortality. First, that mobilizing resources is an important factor in reducing mortality. Second, that many states are failing their obligation to mobilize resources, and other states are failing their obligation to offer international assistance. Third, international health aid must become more

This author notes that recently, international research institutions have undertaken to involve women's health advocates and potential users in contraceptive research and development. The purpose of this action is to reduce controversy and to develop contraceptives in accordance with the needs and preferences of users. The author points out that the controversy around anti-fertility vaccines (in particular the hCG vaccine) has not disappeared, however. This article describes the development of the hCG vaccine and the campaign launched to stop research on anti-fertility vaccines.