Mahoning health board program would provide long-acting, reversible contraception


By William K. Alcorn

alcorn@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

The Mahoning County Health Board approved a three-month contract with Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio to develop a pilot program to provide long-acting reversible contraception methods to the county’s at-risk, uninsured and under-insured women.

Methods of long-acting reversible contraception, or LARC, include intrauterine device (IUD or coil), injections and implantable devices.

Health officials said LARC is considered to be an effective weapon in managing birth spacing, which, if too short, can lead to increased risk of infant mortality. The average cost for LARC methods ranges from $420 to $700 each.

To reduce the risk of infant mortality, defined as death before one year of life, health officials say there should be at least 18 months between delivery and becoming pregnant again.

In addition to providing LARC, under the contract Planned Parenthood will provide education regarding birth spacing and health behaviors to at-risk women identified by local physicians and clinics.

The program is funded up to $25,000 through the Child and Family Health Services program of the Ohio Department of Health. The contract runs from Tuesday to June 30.

In other action at the health board meeting Wednesday, it was announced that a board-sponsored rabies clinic will take place from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 16 at Boardman Park’s Masters Pavilion, 375 Boardman-Poland Road. No appointment is needed. The cost is $6 per shot.

The county requires rabies vaccination for all dogs, cats and ferrets older than 3 months. To be served, pet owners must have their pets on a leash, in a cage or carried in a cloth pillowcase.