carafem’s 2022 Annual Report | High Quality Abortion Care in a Post-Roe Environment
On June 24th, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ruled the right to abortion is no longer protected by the US Constitution. As we examine exactly what this means for each community we serve, carafem is committed to continuing to offer medically supported, affordable abortion care in as many states as we legally can.. With efficient, compassionate personal care and by providing affordable, discrete abortion medication via telehealth, carafem will continue to adapt its services to improve access to abortion for our clients everywhere and when we can. Read more about our progress and plans for the future here.
2021 was a year of significant growth as carafem experienced a 34% increase in clients served over the previous year. The increased demand for faster, more available, and more affordable visits has helped carafem’s Abortion at Home program serve an ever-growing number of clients – 47% more than our busiest brick -and-mortar health center this year. Through 2021, carafem provided home abortions via telehealth to people in 10 different states including the District of Columbia and served clients from nearly 20. By the end of 2022, we plan to expand virtual care to at least 5 new states strategically located near areas where abortion is no longer available.
For years, carafem has strategically partnered with organizations conducting global research and advocacy to collect evidence that helps improve outcomes in reproductive health technologies and services.. Part of this work has helped to establish the safety and efficacy of the abortion pill as well as contributing to evidence that people can safely manage their abortions in the privacy of their own homes. Results from these clinical studies have been important to expand information and understanding of reproductive health care in the US. As part of a clinical study at the University of California, San Francisco, carafem’s work contributed to the evidence that led to the reversal of the FDA’s restrictions on shipping mifepristone in December 2021.
During the pandemic, abortion pills became more in demand. carafem conducted a message test to understand the most effective way to talk about receiving abortion pills at home to help more people find them. After rigorous qualitative and quantitative testing, the term “at home abortion pills” was defined. carafem also developed an integrated translation feature on its website and redesigned all printed client-facing materials to be available in multiple languages to help more people find the services they need.
In the past year, carafem has implemented new technological solutions to improve almost every part of the client’s experience, from finding an appointment, to completing the necessary documentation before the visit, to the final follow-up and ensuring client satisfaction during the visit. Our new online scheduling platform simplifies the appointment making process and improves both the in-center and online client experience. This is part of carafem’s ongoing commitment to provide the seamless access to healthcare that our clients have demanded.
Roe’s loss was devastating but carafem remains steadfast in its mission to increase access to abortion, in these times more than ever. The success of carafem would not be possible without the diligent work of the carafem team, donors, and volunteers. We extend our sincere thanks for your continued support.
