Since its introduction into clinical practice in France in 1989, the drug mifepristone has been proven safe, effective, and cost-efficient for both miscarriage and abortion care, including self-managed abortion. However, due to abortion stigma the drug remains subject to excessive regulations that impose medically unnecessary barriers to use. This talk will reflect on the history of this innovation technology and how political interference has prevented it from having the maximum possible benefit to public health.

Elizabeth Janiak, ScD, MA, MSc, is an Assistant Professor in the faculties of medicine and public health at Harvard University and a Research Investigator at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. Situated at the intersection of social epidemiology and health systems research, her work focuses on access to abortion and contraception in the United States, promotion of just and patient-centered models of reproductive health care delivery, and understanding and ameliorating inequities in reproductive health outcomes.

This event will take place on April 6 at 4pm in room 2-105. This event will be open to the public.