AccessMatters

03/15/2026

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, March 18, AccessMatters’ Adolescent Health Initiative will be holding another Clinic Confidence workshop. This training invites teenagers ages 16-19 from across Philadelphia to hear from sexual health experts and learn what to expect from family planning healthcare visits. During the workshop, teens will learn how to make appointments and advocate for their health needs, including STI testing, contraceptives, and more. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) providers will be on hand to answer any questions about navigating youth healthcare. Eligible participants will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win one of four prizes. Raffle winners will get to choose between:
🎟️Beats headphones
🎟️A Stanley cup
🎟️A 168 Piece Art Kit
🎟️And 3 Bundles of Virgin Hair

To register and learn more about this event, use this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clinic-confidence-workshop-2026-tickets-1975638519996?aff=erellivmlt

03/14/2026

Today is National Black Midwifery Day. This day is dedicated to celebrating the cultural legacy and knowledge of Black midwives and their work to advance Black maternal health outcomes, as well as to advocate for increased recognition and resources for Black midwives. Today, we celebrate and honor Black midwives across the state and nation and their dedication to improving maternal, perinatal, and infant health outcomes.

03/13/2026

Registration is now open! Join AccessMatters and Oshun Family Center in celebrating Black Maternal Health Week 2026 with a day of intentional dialogue and action in Philadelphia. On April 13, AccessMatters in partnership with Oshun Family Village will host “Empowering Care, Elevating Voices: A Summit for Maternal Health Justice”. This free summit will bring together community leaders, advocates, healthcare professionals, and policymakers for a day of solutions-driven and action-oriented collaboration seeking to improve maternal health outcomes for Black families and communities. Check out the featured speakers and register here: https://bmhwsummit26.eventbrite.com/

03/12/2026

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Black Maternal Health Week movement. Black Maternal Health Week brings together people with lived experience, advocates, policymakers, and community health organizers for a week of action to promote Black maternal health and improved access to care. Black Maternal Health Week will take place April 11-17, with a week of events in Pennsylvania, including several in Philadelphia hosted by Oshun Family Center. To learn more about their programming this year, go to: https://oshunfamilycenter.org/event-calendar/

03/11/2026

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, March 18, AccessMatters’ Adolescent Health Initiative will be holding another Clinic Confidence workshop. This training invites teenagers ages 16-19 from across Philadelphia to hear from sexual health experts and learn what to expect from family planning healthcare visits. During the workshop, teens will learn how to make appointments and advocate for their health needs, including STI testing, contraceptives, and more. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) providers will be on hand to answer any questions about navigating youth healthcare. Eligible participants will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win one of four prizes. Raffle winners will get to choose between:
🎟️Beats headphones
🎟️A Stanley cup
🎟️A 168 Piece Art Kit
🎟️And 3 Bundles of Virgin Hair
To register and learn more about this event, use this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clinic-confidence-workshop-2026-tickets-1975638519996?aff=erellivmlt

Teens 16-19 curious about what to expect at a family planning visit? Come join us and find out all about it!

03/10/2026

Today is National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Although women make up nearly a quarter of people living with HIV in the United States, many women face barriers to testing and treatment. Women, especially Black women and women living in low-income communities, are less likely to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an essential medication that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV.

Want to get tested but don’t know where to start? Have any questions about PrEP, HIV or AIDS? Call AccessMatters’ Information Hotline at: 215-985-3300 or text the Hotline at 833-667-3377.

Sources: Poz, “HIV and Women”; University of Miami, “Research Identifies Gaps in PrEP Uptake Among Women”

03/09/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer – cancer of the colon or re**um – is the deadliest form of cancer for people under 50, but it can be prevented if caught early in a screening. Everyone above the age of 45 should be screened every 5-10 years, depending on the type of screening.

To learn more about colorectal cancer and screening options, go to: https://leadfrombehind.org/how-to-prevent/

03/08/2026

Today is International Women’s Day, which has been celebrated for over 100 years! This year, the theme is “Give to Gain,” encouraging collaboration, generosity, and support for organizations working to advance the rights of women and girls.

03/07/2026

This week, AccessMatters participated two hearings to advocate for reproductive health care. On Monday, Audrey Ann Ross, AccessMatters' Senior Manager for Communications & Policy provided testimony during Councilmember Nina Ahmad's hearing on reproductive health. Later in the week, Ayana Bradshaw, AccessMatters' President & CEO participated in a People’s Hearing on Reproductive Health, held by Philly Councilmember Kendra Brooks and the Reproductive Freedom Task Force. Both hearings brought together advocates, health care leaders, and members of the community to discuss opportunities to protect and expand reproductive health care access in Philadelphia. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in these important events.

03/06/2026

April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week, a week dedicated to advocacy and action towards creating a world where Black mothers and families can flourish and thrive. AccessMatters is honored to participate in this week by hosting “Empowering Care, Elevating Voices: A Summit for Maternal Health Justice” in collaboration with Oshun Family Center. This free event will be held on April 13 at Temple University, and will bring together community members, advocates, healthcare experts, and policymakers for a day of solution-drive, action-oriented collaboration. This experience is intended to generate clear next steps, collective movement, and tangible change. Leave inspired and engaged, ready and aligned around concrete action and next steps. Check out the featured speakers and register here: https://bmhwsummit26.eventbrite.com/

03/01/2026

March is Women’s History Month! This month, we recognize and celebrate the contributions that women have made to the world throughout history. This year, the National Women’s History Alliance has announced the theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”, highlighting women-led advancements in environmental, economic, educational, and social sustainability.

02/28/2026

The February edition of AccessMatters’ newsletter is now live! Inside, you’ll find the latest updates on trainings, program updates, advocacy efforts, and community outreach. As we continue into the new year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting, expanding, and enhancing access to sexual and reproductive health care. In the February edition, we honor Black History Month and recognize Healthy Relationship Month, provide a spotlight on AccessMatters' Health Resource Center Program and more.… check out the February newsletter here: https://accessmatters.salsalabs.org/accessmattersfebruary2026