AccessMatters

Today is National Voter Registration Day! Are you registered to vote? For information on the upcoming November 3 elections, and for resources on how to check your voter registration status, go to: https://www.accessmatters.org/vote-2026-everything-you-need-for-the-2026-general-elections-in-pennsylvania/

AccessMatters is thrilled to celebrate our President and CEO Ayana Bradshaw for receiving a TITAN 100 award, which recognizes Philadelphia’s 100 most accomplished visionaries, innovators, and business leaders. Ayana accepted this award at the TITAN 100 awards ceremony last Thursday with honorees from throughout the region.

Uncork a night that's Caber-not-to-be-missed! With French-inspired small plates and over 30 wines by the glass, AccessMatters is thrilled to partner with Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro for a Dine & Donate event on Sept 29! From 4-8pm, a portion of proceeds will be donated to AccessMatters to help us in our mission to protect, expand, and enhance access to s*xual and reproductive health care.

RSVP is encouraged, but not required. Let us know if you will be attending here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accessmatters-dine-donate-tickets-1999108681882

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer can be hard to detect early because symptoms often only appear once it has spread, but catching the cancer quickly can improve treatment outcomes. Be aware of the symptoms, and contact a doctor if you notice changes in your health.

September is Sexual Health Month! Sexual health is an important part of your overall health and wellness. To protect your s*xual health, you can:
- Test for STIs once a year, or whenever you have a new s*xual partner
- Attend regular visits with a health care provider
- Get vaccines that can prevent STIs, like for Hepatitis A, B, HPV, and mpox
- Make sure you are getting any recommended exams, like prostate exams or gynecological exams

Questions about s*xual health? Call AccessMatters' Information Hotline at 215-985-3300, or text the Hotline at 833-667-3377

Join AccessMatters Tuesday, September 29, at Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro in Philadelphia for a Dine & Donate! From 4-8pm, a portion of proceeds will be donated to AccessMatters to help us in our mission to protect, expand, and enhance access to s*xual and reproductive health care. https://dineanddonateforaccess.eventbrite.com

According to a new report by March of Dimes, one in three U.S. counties fit the definition of a maternal care desert: a county where there are no birthing hospitals or obstetric care providers. In Pennsylvania, 31.3% of counties have no hospital or birth center offering maternity care. Living in a maternity care desert means traveling further for essential care - on average, people living in maternity care deserts travel 3x further for care.

To learn more about maternity care deserts, read March of Dimes 2026 report here:https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/assets/s3/reports/2026-Maternity-Care-Report.pdf

August is National Breastfeeding Month! that in Philadelphia, all city-owned buildings are required to have breastfeeding spaces available to use by the public? You can use the city's Lactation Spaces Finder App to find a map of these spaces: https://lactation-spaces.phila.gov/

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has more resources on breastfeeding available here: https://www.phillylovesfamilies.com/breastfeeding-and-chestfeeding

LAST CALL! On Tuesday, August 25, AccessMatters will host Sexual Health Essentials! This workshop will provide basic information on s*xually transmitted infections, contraceptives, and safer s*x practices. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/s*xual-health-essentials-tickets-1993026763701?aff=oddtdtcreator

*xualhealth

It's time for a Civic Health Checkup! Midterm elections will be held this November – this Civic Health Month is a great time to make sure you are registered to vote, that your registration is up to date, and to learn about who will be on your ballot. To learn more about the Pennsylvania midterms and to register, go to: https://ow.ly/eytV50ZAxh5