Planned Parenthood Reaches More Than 39,000 Homes During Miami Zika Canvass

For Immediate Release: Oct. 21, 2016

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Washington, D.C. -- Today, Planned Parenthood announced that its eight-week Zika education outreach canvass reached more than 39,000 homes in the Little Haiti and Hialeah communities of Miami, Florida.

 

Over the course of the eight-week canvass, multilingual canvassers held over 9,700 individual conversations to educate people about the Zika virus in these medically underserved communities of Miami. Canvassers provided community members, many of them Latino and Haitian, with educational materials on the Zika virus in English, Haitian Creole and Spanish, and helped connect them to local health care providers and family planning services. In addition, a community outreach worker contacted and presented Zika materials to more than 50 local agencies, including nonprofits and churches, and hosted a segment on a Haitian radio station.

 

“We are thrilled that Planned Parenthood’s community education efforts on the Zika virus have been successful in reaching thousands of people,” said Lillian Tamayo, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida. “Florida is ground zero for local Zika transmission, and as a trusted health care provider and expert in reproductive health, Planned Parenthood is committed to the health needs of South Florida communities.”

 

In addition to the successful canvass, Planned Parenthood health centers also distributed Zika prevention kits to pregnant patients who plan to continue the pregnancy or who are undecided, as well as for women who are planning to become pregnant. As the Zika virus continues to spread in the Miami area, Planned Parenthood health centers are proud to continue to provide Zika prevention kits to those most vulnerable to the effects of Zika.
 

One Miami resident recounted a visit from a Planned Parenthood canvasser to their home, saying, “Martha came to visit me and she was oh so helpful and took her time and had patience and handed me all the information. After her visit, I’ve been checking the yard, spraying, wearing long sleeves to protect my kids and me.”

 

Another resident said, “I spoke to Lenroy a Planned Parenthood canvasser and he was very nice. I’m making sure all water is drained in my home. I have discussed with neighbors and family and informed them what I learned."

 

Across the country, Planned Parenthood is working to educate local communities with the most accurate and up-to-date information about the Zika virus and the best way to protect oneself from the virus. In line with this mission, Planned Parenthood health centers are distributing Zika kits that follow CDC recommendations to include mosquito repellant, standing water treatment tablets, condoms, dental dams, and educational materials in English and Spanish. We are committed to ensuring that everyone is equipped with accurate information and access to family planning services in order to take the best possible care of themselves and their families. Planned Parenthood health centers in states across the country, including in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, and New York, are offering these resources and information about Zika to local communities.

 

• In August, New York’s Department of Health announced a partnership with Planned Parenthood affiliates and donated Zika prevention kits to Planned Parenthood health centers across the state. Planned Parenthood and New York’s Department of Health are continuing to work together to ensure communities have accurate information about the Zika virus and have access to the resources needed to protect themselves and their families.

 

• Planned Parenthood affiliates in Louisiana recently announced an expansion of Zika education and prevention efforts, where Planned Parenthood health centers will provide patients with Zika prevention kits, as well as educational materials in English and Spanish. Zika kits will be provided to patients who are pregnant and plan to continue the pregnancy or who are undecided, as well as for women who are planning to become pregnant.  

 

“Planned Parenthood is proud of our work to help people take the best possible care of themselves and their families in communities across the country,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “The Zika virus is a serious public health crisis and many people are lacking access to accurate, up-to-date information about the virus and how to protect themselves – especially those living in medically underserved communities. As a trusted provider of reproductive health care and an expert in helping people choose the birth control method that best fits their lives, Planned Parenthood is uniquely positioned to help ensure that more people get the health care and education they need, no matter who they are or where they live.”

 

For 100 years Planned Parenthood has been a trusted provider of high-quality information, education, and resources regarding reproductive health, including contraception.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With over 650 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.