Abortion : The Urgency is for Prevention Not for Making Abortion a Constitution Right

Abortion : The Urgency is for Prevention Not for Making Abortion a Constitution Right

by | October 4, 2023 | Abortion, Press Releases

The French President has today reaffirmed his wish for abortion right to be included in the French Constitution “as soon as possible“. This statement goes against the concerning figures published last week by the DREES (Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics): In 2022, some 234,300 abortions were performed in France, and the proportion of abortions reached its highest level since 1990, i.e. 16.9 abortions per 1000 women of child-bearing age.

It should be said that making abortion a constitution right, when the availability of abortion is not in any way under threat, is totally disconnected from the reality in the field. Before taking any measures concerning an act which is far from trivial and which jeopardises human lives, the political priority should be to conduct an impartial study to analyse the causes, the conditions and the consequences of abortion in France.

The DREES revealed in 2020 that women with the smallest incomes are more likely to resort to abortion than those who are wealthier. In an economic context suffering from persistent inflation which is eroding the buying power of the French people, how can one be satisfied that abortion should become a marker of social inequality?

According to Alliance VITA, who for more than 20 years have accompanied women and couples confronted with unexpected pregnancies, the difficult issue of abortion deserves better than its exploitation for political purposes. We have also noted that pregnant women confronted with an unexpected pregnancy resort to abortion only reluctantly, under social pressure or under pressure from their family circle.

Instead of including abortion right in the French Constitution, it is urgent to establish a true abortion prevention policy aimed at avoiding a large number of personal tragedies by presenting other alternatives to the women concerned.

Belgium : Is Euthanasia Economical ?

Belgium : Is Euthanasia Economical ?

by | September 29, 2023 | Euthanasia and Suicide, News

The case of a young Belgian woman requesting euthanasia due to the failings in the social system acts as a wake-up call on the economic discrimination being suffered by patients.

In her testimony relayed by SudInfo and delivered by the Nieuwsblad media, Shanna, at 38 years old, revealed that she was suffering from Ehlers Danloss syndrome which causes extreme pain. She explained that she did not have sufficient financial resources to cover the medical costs and to pay for assistance. Although the disease remains incurable, treatments aimed at improving the comfort of patients do exist. Although she should be entitled to State benefits of 20,000 euros per year, the young woman has remained on a waiting list since 2017. However, she has only just received these funds in 2023 and only half the amount.

She thus declared: “I love life, but when you have to fight to survive every day, there comes a time when it must stop.” She is hoping that her appeal will get things to change in the Belgian system.

Especially as the system has already claimed a victim in Joke Mariman, suffering from the same syndrome as Shanna,  who was euthanised through a lack of support. The 43-year-old woman denounced in vain the inadequacy of the financial resources of the Flemish government. She never received any additional health benefits, even after submitting a new emergency procedure.

“In telling my story, I wish to tell the government that we are not mere statistics, but we also have a face. I hope that they will understand that something fundamental has to change. For this to stop at last.” explains Shanna.

Dave Ceule, the Director of Independent Living asbl, which supports those suffering from physical and mental handicap, explains that he receives similar testimonies every week from the handicapped who cannot make ends meet financially whereas they should be entitled to benefits.

In Belgium, there are several types of priority groups who are entitled to health benefits. 17,000 people have as yet not received or have received only part of their health benefits. The Flemish minister for Well-being, Public Health and Families has reacted by promising an emergency procedure for those whose health is deteriorating rapidly.

This situation is not dissimilar to several situations observed in Canada, of patients requesting euthanasia due to a lack of financial means and appropriate support.

These signals must call us to act against any attempt to introduce euthanasia and assisted suicide in France as is being suggested by the government through its new bill on the end of life.

 

 

International Day for Older Persons : Our Elders Have a Lot to Pass on to Us

International Day for Older Persons : Our Elders Have a Lot to Pass on to Us

by | September 28, 2023 | News, Old age and Dependency

Since 14th December 1990, the 1st October has been dedicated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day for Older Persons. The theme for 2023 proposed by the UNO is: “Fulfilling the promises in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the aged across generations”.

For some time, Alliance VITA, as promoter of the guide of 10 ideas for solidarity, has been sounding alarm bells on this theme and calling for the most vulnerable to be elevated to the very heart of society, by making solidarity, in particular between generations, a priority, to enable our elders to age with dignity. In 2015, the Alliance VITA field teams , carried a magnificent “Messages for life” campaign, which consisted in gathering a key message which our dear elders wished to pass on to the younger generations. For instance, Thérèse, aged 82, wrote that “Grandmothers represent a chain for passing down the values of the past which are perpetually evolving”. Jacqueline, aged 94: “At my age I am still discovering things, it is very comforting, life is worth living to still see that or even Raymond, aged 87: “It is through the respect and solidarity between generations that family bonds are preserved and are developed“.

Since then, many positive and creative initiatives have regularly embellished the media landscape and our social networks.

For example, Paul Peytoureau, a young journalist, has conducted moving interviews with the aged, achieving hundreds of thousands of views on his networks. As a passionate historian, he is quite convinced: “Our elders have a great deal to contribute“. Positive media such as néo regularly report on precious encounters with our elders. The emergence of hospital biographers, particularly in palliative care, remind us also that “All lives are worth telling”. The cross-generation cafes, day nurseries established in old people’s homes contribute to the de-compartmenting of generations and encourage encounters, transmission places and hence social links.

Particularly active in this new challenge for civilisation, Pope Francis is contributing to this awareness campaign by stating that “The voices of our elders are invaluable” because they “preserve the roots of our peoples”.  He recalls that without foundations, one cannot build. And that “The foundations of life are its memories”.

Although the media and social networks provide for the creation of new spaces for transmission, unfortunately our current life styles result in the geographic dispersion of our families, leading to a culture of withdrawal on oneself which contributes to the increasing isolation of the elderly.

The figures in France: The worrying “Social death”

The Report on Old Age and Autonomy (2019) evaluated at 4 million the number of people over 85 years of age in France in 2022.

Among those, half could be considered as “isolated” and one in 8, (530,000) would be practically in a situation of “social death”. That is the worrying conclusion reported by the Barometer on the loneliness and isolation of the over 60s (September 2021)

Another alarming figure: 20% of suicides in our country concern people aged 75 or more (4th Report by the National Suicide Observatory, June 2020)

The pyramid of ages: A few worldwide figures

Worldwide, babies born in 2022 should live on average to 71.7 years old, i.e. 25 years more than those born in 1950.

The ageing of the population is a worldwide trend. In 2021, 1 person in 10 in the world was aged 65 or more. In 2050, this age group should represent 1 person in 6. The number of people aged 65 or more worldwide should increase from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050, resulting in the proportion of the aged population growing from less than 10 % to around 17 %. Women tend to live longer than men and therefore represent the majority of the elderly. In 1950, women could expect to live around four years longer than men worldwide. In 2021, the difference between the two has increased to over five years.

It has become essential for society to take stock of this change and make progress to adapt to the growing number of the elderly.

Unfortunately, the absence of any roadmap on old age and the endless hesitations on the “Ageing well bill” raise questions on the priorities of the government, at a time when the sector already today is suffering from a cruel shortage of means and personnel.

Further reading :
2015 Alliance VITA campaign, messages for life
2022 Alliance VITA campaign, change our way of looking
Alliance VITA pamphlet: 10 ideas for solidarity – old age, dependency, end of life
Deferment of the Ageing Well Bill: old age abandoned
The development of intergenerational solidarity – the Alliance VITA proposals, 2022

Ever Increasing Abortions and Still no Prevention Policy

Ever Increasing Abortions and Still no Prevention Policy

by | September 27, 2023 | Abortion, Press Releases

234,300 is the number of abortions performed in France in 2022. This is an increase of 4.9% relative to 2021.  The proportion has also reached its highest level since 1990 i.e. 16.9 abortions per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 49. The publication of these clearly rising figures underlines the urgent need for a prevention policy.

In its report, the DREES (Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics) also records a clear increase in the ratio of abortions due to the fall in the number of births combined with an increase in the number of abortions. Whilst mentioning the change in contraceptive practices and an increase in the sales of emergency contraceptive products, the DREES recommends “specific studies on contraception”.

But beyond any studies which could be conducted on contraceptive practices, these figures show the need to face up to the reality of abortion.

Firstly, the high number of abortions demonstrates that its accessibility is not restricted and invalidates any claims in favour of its inclusion in the French constitution. Also the small number of so-called late abortions (less than one fifth of the surplus observed, and a total estimated by DREES at less than 1.5% of abortions), reveals the unnecessary nature of any extension to the abortion window whereas its promoters claimed that thousands of women were obliged to go abroad.

Furthermore, the increase in the percentage of medication abortions (78%, of which half are conducted outside health establishments) is the result of measures aimed at facilitating access to abortion for women whilst deleting those measures which supported women, in particular the information on the benefits and rights of pregnant women provided during abortion consultations.

The deletion of the cooling off period, the retention of the possibility of remote consultations for medicinal abortions etc. are all factors which contribute to trivialise abortion whereas according to the IFOP (French Opinion and Marketing Institute) barometer for 2020, 92% of French people still consider that an abortion leaves psychological scars which are difficult to live with for women.

Facing up to reality would also include providing particular support for young women students: the 20-29 age group concentrates the highest abortion levels (26.9 ‰ among the 20-24 year-olds and 28.6 ‰ among the 25-29 year-olds).

Finally, in a context of increasing cost of living and erosion of the family policy, abortion appears as inevitable to those experiencing economic and financial difficulties. It is a failure and an injustice. Thanks to the DREES we know that it is the women with the lowest income who mostly resort to abortion. How can one be satisfied that abortion should be a marker of social inequality?

These situations should mobilise us. The taboo surrounding the subject hides the serious ill-treatment suffered by numerous women whereas it is an irreversible act which jeopardises lives.

There is an urgent need to face up to the reality of abortion: This involves an evaluation of the causes and consequences of abortion and the establishment of a genuine prevention policy.

The Hormonal Contraceptive Pill : Scientific Studies are Highlighting the Risks

The Hormonal Contraceptive Pill : Scientific Studies are Highlighting the Risks

by | September 26, 2023 | News, Society

Several recent scientific studies have examined the risks to which women are exposed when taking hormonal contraceptives. Certain studies go deeper into subjects already known to the public and which have been the subject of publications and articles for many years (for a survey by Alliance VITA, click here).

Hormonal contraception and breast cancer

The link between the heightened risk of  breast cancer and use of the hormonal pill has been studied and documented for many years. A study published in 1996 in the Lancet had already reported it. The WHO incidentally lists this risk in its classification of carcinogenic products. A new study published last spring has again investigated the subject. It is based on a sample of some 10,000 women living in the United Kingdom and suffering from breast cancer between 1996 and 2017. The main results indicate that the risk of breast cancer increases by 20 to 30% for women using hormonal contraception. This risk is present irrespective of the form of administration of the substance: pill, IUD, implant. According to the authors, their analyses “revealed significantly high relative risks (RR) for the current or recent use of progestative contraceptives alone”. Another result of this research, the risk of cancer is confirmed irrespective of the formula used, progestative or an oestroprogestative combination. The study examined the link in the “short term” between the use of contraception and the development of breast cancer. It does not provide any information on the long term risks nor on the impact of the duration of the use of hormonal contraception.

According to the National Cancer Institute “breast cancer is the cancer most frequently observed in women in France, as well as in the European Union and the United States. The number of cases recorded each year has tended to diminish since 2005, even if this disease remains the main cause of death by cancer in women in 2023”. In France there are around 60,000 new cases recorded each year. In 2018, 12,100 women died from breast cancer. The risk of contracting breast cancer increases with age and there are other causes than the use of hormonal contraception.

The study, as well as the WHO web-site, indicate also that certain types of hormonal contraception have a protective effect on other forms of cancer. Several studies suggest in fact that women on the combination pill have a lower risk of contracting ovary or endometrium cancer. However, neither the study, nor the WHO web-site, provide any quantified data on this protection. The prevalence of these cancers is considerably less. Whereas one in 8 women in France contract breast cancer, ovarian cancer affects a mere one in 70. According to the Revue du Praticien (Practitioner’s Review), the incidence of cancer of the body of the uterus is 7 times less than that of breast cancer: 8,224 cases in 2018 compared with 58,459 cases of breast cancer.

The pill and its impact on mental health

Various studies have also examined the possible links between mental health and the use of oral contraception. In 2016, a study based on over a million women in Denmark concluded that “The use of hormonal contraception, in particular by adolescents, has been linked to the subsequent use of antidepressants and to an initial diagnosis of depression, suggesting that depression is a potential undesirable effect of the use of hormonal contraceptives”. A new study published in June 2023, and based on over 260,000 women in the United Kingdom, confirmed these results. The authors aimed in particular to measure the “bias” due to the fact that women ceased their hormonal contraception when they felt an effect on their temperament. This behaviour leads to underestimating the impact of hormonal contraception on the risk of depression. Overall, the authors confirmed the previous results: “Our results suggest that the use of oral contraceptives, in particular during the first 2 years, increases the risk of depression. Furthermore, its use during adolescence could increase the risk of depression in later life.”

An even more recent study, published in August 2023, examined the link between use of the hormonal contraceptive pill and the control of stress. On a small sample of 131 young women, the authors measured the presence in the blood of a hormone (ACTH adenocorticotrope hormone) which itself acts on the production of the hormone cortisol, which is itself involved in the regulation of stress. The study measured the presence of the ACTH hormone before and after group activities (such as board games, choir singing etc.) whose effect is generally to reduce stress levels. The authors concluded that there is an “impact of oral contraception on a dynamic modification of the response to stress” and call for further studies.

This panorama of recent research underlines the impact of the use of hormonal contraception on the health of women. Widespread dissemination of this information to the general public should be part of the public health policy, especially as the public authorities promote hormonal contraception in particular through its availability free of charge up to 25 years of age, introduced in January 2022. A more ecological approach incorporating respect for the natural biological and hormonal bodily functions could also be included in the public authority campaigns on the subject of contraception.