Collaboration on Health Promotion/Environmental Health Project to Reduce Period Poverty on a College Campus
Abstract
Background: Reducing the barriers that contribute to health disparities is one of the hallmarks of public health practice to improve health outcomes. Collaboration is critical to the successful implementation of public health education strategies, especially when the issue has such an intersectional impact. Period poverty is described as the inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products (MHP) and education to manage their menstrual cycle. This impacts students’ academic success, mental and physical health, and equitable access to MHPs.
Methods: The Period Equity Movement (PEM) was created in collaboration with the university’s Office of Student Wellness and Health Promotion through funding came from a $48,000 Sustainability Fee grant and other internal funding. The grant specifically focused on purchasing reusable MHPs such as menstrual cups and fabric pads and organic disposable tampons and pads. Promotion of the PEM was accomplished with a branding and educational campaign. The project employed strategies to maximize inclusivity of all who menstruate regardless of their gender identity.
Results: The Period Equity Movement (PEM) has become a multi-faceted project through the support of collaboration with stakeholders of the university in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, environmental impact, mental and physical health, and social justice. The PEM has been active in educational programming creating awareness about the environmental impact while also promoting awareness of the social injustice of period poverty. Through this project, students were able to access free disposable and reusable MHPs that suited their needs because such a variety of different products were available.
Discussion: Through collaboration with important stakeholders the PEM has taken a proactive approach to inclusivity through language and branding to not exclude anyone from benefiting from PEM due to their gender expression.
Keywords
menstruation, students, college, poverty, periods, education, stigma
Collaboration on Health Promotion/Environmental Health Project to Reduce Period Poverty on a College Campus
Background: Reducing the barriers that contribute to health disparities is one of the hallmarks of public health practice to improve health outcomes. Collaboration is critical to the successful implementation of public health education strategies, especially when the issue has such an intersectional impact. Period poverty is described as the inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products (MHP) and education to manage their menstrual cycle. This impacts students’ academic success, mental and physical health, and equitable access to MHPs.
Methods: The Period Equity Movement (PEM) was created in collaboration with the university’s Office of Student Wellness and Health Promotion through funding came from a $48,000 Sustainability Fee grant and other internal funding. The grant specifically focused on purchasing reusable MHPs such as menstrual cups and fabric pads and organic disposable tampons and pads. Promotion of the PEM was accomplished with a branding and educational campaign. The project employed strategies to maximize inclusivity of all who menstruate regardless of their gender identity.
Results: The Period Equity Movement (PEM) has become a multi-faceted project through the support of collaboration with stakeholders of the university in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, environmental impact, mental and physical health, and social justice. The PEM has been active in educational programming creating awareness about the environmental impact while also promoting awareness of the social injustice of period poverty. Through this project, students were able to access free disposable and reusable MHPs that suited their needs because such a variety of different products were available.
Discussion: Through collaboration with important stakeholders the PEM has taken a proactive approach to inclusivity through language and branding to not exclude anyone from benefiting from PEM due to their gender expression.
