The Jamaica Plain project is an educational campaign launched by the EC Network to increase awareness of EC among the public and the health care community.

The Network has provided trainings at local community health centers, talked with local pharmacists, and is currently doing outreach to Jamaica Plain residents. The Network is looking for volunteers to help with public education efforts on EC.

Why do we need to increase access to EC?

• Emergency Contraception is a safe and effective birth control method that can prevent pregnancy after sex. EC is not the same thing as RU-486, and it does NOT cause an abortion.
  
• More widespread use of EC could prevent 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions each year.
  
• The sooner EC is taken, the better the chances of preventing pregnancy. Currently, many women have difficulty getting through to a doctor or making an appointment within the 5 day time frame.
  
• There are very few side affects with EC. EC will not harm the developing fetus if a woman is already pregnant.
  
• Studies have shown that improved access to EC does not increase the incidence of unprotected sex or encourage repeat use of EC, but it does decrease the incidence of unintended pregnancy.
  
• The FDA’s staff and advisory committees recommended that EC was suitable for use over-the-counter.