In 2003 ARHP celebrated its 40th anniversary. The history of the ARHP is intrinsically linked to the story of modern birth control and family planning in the United States. Although the concept and practice of birth control is ancient, it was not until 1961, when the pill first became available, that a highly reliable, safe, private means of contraception signaled the start of the modern era.
This era would give women newfound freedom and change society forever. Along with these changes, new social, medical and ethical issues would arise and loom over the field of contraception. To attend to these issues from a medical perspective, in 1963 Planned Parenthood President Dr. Alan Guttmacher founded the American Association of Planned Parenthood Physicians (AAPPP).
AAPPP was the first organization to focus on the medical professional needs of physicians working in the field of family planning. By providing continuing medical education (CME) through annual post-graduate and scientific workshops in conjunction with Planned Parenthood annual meetings, AAPPP ensured that physicians had a forum to discuss and learn about progress in contraceptive research and developments in related social sciences. In this manner, AAPPP provided a bridge between science and the medical profession and the population they serve.
As contraceptive technology advanced and more birth control options became available, APPP also enlarged its boundaries. In 1981 the Association opened its membership fully to professionals other than physicians (nurse practitioners, researchers, educators, and others), becoming the Association of Planned Parenthood Professionals. In the same year, however, advocates for reproductive freedom and choice would face their greatest political challenge with the election of Ronald Reagan as U.S. president, signaling 12 long years of struggle ahead.
The Reagan-Bush era presented many challenges to progress in family planning and reproductive health, but it also provided real impetus, kindling passions and commitment that may otherwise have remained dormant. Accepting a major leadership role, APPP began to evolve. After weathering a near-fatal financial crisis, APPP accepted its first multi-million dollar grant for a public education program in contraception in 1987 and becoming the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) in the same year.
For ARHP, the 1990s would mean expansion and a greatly enhanced profile. A pro-choice president, Bill Clinton, was elected in 1992, giving hope and fostering new partnerships with government in the field of reproductive health. Cementing a mutually beneficial relationship with the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Reproductive Health (NANPRH), ARHP's membership grew fivefold and registration for its annual meetings skyrocketed. A number of new ARHP publications were produced and public education and visiting faculty programs were launched. These addressed current "hot" topics in reproductive health, such as new hormonal methods of contraception, management of contraceptive problems, unintended pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and adolescent health.
In addition to new topics, ARHP adopted new methods of teaching, using video, satellite communication, interactive media, and the Internet. Now poised at the beginning of the 21st century. ARHP is prepared to continue the essential work it started in public and clinical education, and to explore new ways to reach its goals. Completing a cycle, ARHP was born, experienced growing pains, evolved, expanded, and is now ready to launch its new programs for the next generation of reproductive health.
