Community activists host sexual and reproductive health symposium in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – We all know that health care can be expensive and difficult to access.

Efforts are underway in Kansas City to make sexual and reproductive health care more comprehensive and affordable. Community members and activists gathered Saturday to talk about it.

John Batten/KSHB

“It’s just a time, an opportunity for all identities, all people, to come together and talk about sex education that we didn’t get in school,” said Erin Bradley.

Erin Bradley is with Front Porch Alliance, a nonprofit in Kansas City that offers several educational programs. They hosted a symposium on reproductive and sexual health with Planned Parenthood of Great Plains.

“Health care is expensive, and it can be inconvenient to have to go to a practice where there are so many things, places and systems that you don’t understand,” Bradley said.

According to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, women’s reproductive health care costs can add up to $19,000.

John Batten/KSHB

“I am an advocate for sexual health, especially for the black and brown community,” said participant Latrice Thomas.

Thomas also wants to prioritize inequalities in sexual and reproductive health costs.

“In most cases, we just don’t have that conversation because of cultural reasons. You know, stigma. It’s just one of those things that’s uncomfortable,” Thomas said.

That’s why Erin Bradley said talks must be followed by action.

“We don’t just want to provide education, we want to provide resources to people, because education is expensive,” Bradley said. “There are ways people can get access to things that are affordable and accessible.”