Politics. On Point.

Initial External Contributions In Response to Vice President Kamala Harris’s Call to Action to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity   On behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration, Vice President Harris is issuing a nationwide Call to Action to both the public and private sectors to help improve health outcomes for parents and infants in the United States. Below are initial external contributions to kick off the White House Maternal Health Day of Action. Read more about the Day of Action  here. (listed alphabetically ) The   Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)  is announcing that they will hold a Maternal Health Incubator on May 24-25. This Incubator will consist of a two-day virtual convening to better understand the data needed to effectively address maternal health inequities. Participants will identify and share evidence-based strategies to decrease racial/ethnic maternal health gaps, and will develop an action plan aimed at eliminating existing ine...

Representatives from the CDC and the NIH were on hand at the White House during Monday's press briefing to update the public and address concerns over the Zika virus that has caused some babies to be born with deformities. Dr. Anne Schuchat from the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Tony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health told reporters that a vaccine is in the making.   The pair also said they are particulary concerned about women who are pregnant, or plan to get pregnant, who have either traveled to or plan to travel to areas of South America and the Carribean known to have the Zika virus. Despite those bold statements, the doctors said there is no wide-spread concern and that Americans should continue to travel, including during upcoming college spring breaks --  when college students travel to warmer climate destinations to escape winter weather. "Travel to Zika-affected areas is very common among Americans, and we don’t think that needs to stop...

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights"  Gloria Steinem Just two months after the world celebrated International Women's Day , we find that more than 200 Nigerian girls have been kidnapped and thought to be sold by the infamous   Islamic Jihadist group, Boko Haram . Nigeria is calling for the help of all nations to help in finding and releasing the young girls, many of whom are under the age of seventeen. During conversations at yesterday's White House press briefing, the subject of what the United States is doing to assist Nigeria in the search and rescue efforts to find the missing girls and bring them home, Press Secretary Carney stated, " What I can tell you is that we view what has happened there as an outrage and a terrible tragedy.  The President has been  briefed  several times and his national security team continues to...

Near to advice President Biden's heart is the treatment of women and the eradication of sexual assault against women. He continues his 1 is 2 Many campaign to spread the message that rape will not be tolerated, especially on college campuses where one in five women, ages 18-24 are sexually assaulted. The White House has produced a PSA asking, #WhatWouldYouDo, and reminding the public that:  “ If she doesn’t consent, or can’t consent — it’s a crime . . . and if you see sexual assault happening, help her, don’t blame her —and speak up.” Click  here  to take a look at the PSA featuring actors and both President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Other VP Biden News Vice President Biden makes call to NBA Chairman,  Kevin Johnson  to lend support to players in wake of Donald Sterling racists actions and comments towards NBA players and the NBA family. Said Johnson, "He (Biden) called me and said, We're with you, and the White Hous...