The Beat HLTH: Mark Edwards on Revolutionizing Reproductive Care: Expanding Contraceptive Access in Primary Healthcare
About Mark Edwards:
Mark Edwards is the co-founder and CEO of Upstream USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to contraceptive care in primary healthcare settings. Raised with a strong sense of opportunity, Mark's journey began with local anti-poverty work and the launch of a preschool program for homeless children. His commitment to social change led him to found Opportunity Nation, a bipartisan coalition focused on expanding economic mobility through federal policy reform. Inspired by the challenges faced by young people due to unplanned pregnancies, Mark co-founded Upstream USA to ensure that all women have same-day access to their preferred contraceptive methods. He is also a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation entrepreneur, an Ashoka Fellow, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Barr Foundation.
Things You’ll Learn:
- Upstream's mission is to integrate high-quality contraceptive care into primary healthcare, ensuring accessibility, particularly in underserved areas.
- The organization addresses "contraceptive deserts" and supports clinicians in challenging reproductive health environments through tailored digital and in-person training.
- Upstream provides customized training to fit the needs of individual healthcare organizations, enhancing their ability to offer contraceptive services.
- Success stories highlight how healthcare organizations in states with restricted abortion access have expanded contraceptive offerings.
- Upstream aims to expand nationwide, with a goal of providing services to health centers serving up to 5 million patients, encouraging organizations to prioritize this essential care.
Resources:
- Connect with and follow Mark Edwards on LinkedIn.
- Follow Upstream USA on LinkedIn and visit their website.
- Contact Upstream USA at info@upstream.org