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:

1. Upstream's mission is to integrate high-quality contraceptive care into primary healthcare, ensuring accessibility, particularly in underserved areas.
2. The organization addresses "contraceptive deserts" and supports clinicians in challenging reproductive health environments through tailored digital and in-person training.
3. Upstream provides customized training to fit the needs of individual healthcare organizations, enhancing their ability to offer contraceptive services.
4. Success stories highlight how healthcare organizations in states with restricted abortion access have expanded contraceptive offerings.
5. 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