At A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee (ASAFET), we are dedicated to ensuring that all East Tennesseans have the resources and support they need to make empowered choices about their reproductive health. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive community for everyone.
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Empowering Choice
Access to effective contraception and family planning services empowers individuals to make choices that are right for them and their families. Whether it's preventing unintended pregnancies or spacing out births, having the ability to plan and control one's reproductive health is a fundamental aspect of personal freedom and well-being. Promoting Health and Wellness Preventive contraception is not just about avoiding pregnancy—it's about ensuring that individuals and families can achieve optimal health. By providing access to a range of contraceptive methods and family planning resources, we support healthier lives, reduce healthcare costs, and contribute to the overall well-being of our community. Breaking Down Barriers Many individuals in East Tennessee face barriers to accessing reproductive health services due to cost, geographic isolation, or lack of available options. We work to dismantle these barriers by offering free and confidential services, ensuring that no one is left behind due to financial or logistical constraints. |
Supporting Families
Family planning is a key component of strong, healthy families. By helping individuals and couples plan their families according to their circumstances and desires, we contribute to more stable and nurturing environments for children. Our services help families grow and thrive by providing the resources they need to make informed decisions. Fostering Equity We are committed to creating a more equitable healthcare landscape where everyone has the opportunity to access the care they need. By focusing on underserved and marginalized populations, we aim to reduce disparities and promote fairness in reproductive health access. Building a Better Future Our work is not just about addressing immediate needs—it's about creating lasting change. By increasing access to preventive contraception and family planning services, we help pave the way for a brighter future where every individual has the opportunity to achieve their personal and family goals. |
In Tennessee...
46% of pregnancies are unplanned.
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Sources:
Tennessee Department of Health. (2023). Pregnancy and Birth Statistics. Retrieved from Tennessee Department of Health website
National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). National Vital Statistics Reports. Retrieved from National Center for Health Statistics website
Tennessee Department of Health. (2023). Pregnancy and Birth Statistics. Retrieved from Tennessee Department of Health website
National Center for Health Statistics. (2023). National Vital Statistics Reports. Retrieved from National Center for Health Statistics website
Preventing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Rates of babies born exposed (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, NAS) in East Tennessee are the highest in the state. After birth, NAS children exhibit symptoms of withdrawal such as tremors, vomiting, and seizures at birth and often have neurocognitive impairment and motor delays (Logan et al, 2013).
Our programs provide the opportunity for individuals in addiction recovery to focus on their health and plan for their babies. We partner with local recovery centers to provide their patients in addiction recovery with education about NAS and immediate access to preventive, easily reversible contraception.
Our programs provide the opportunity for individuals in addiction recovery to focus on their health and plan for their babies. We partner with local recovery centers to provide their patients in addiction recovery with education about NAS and immediate access to preventive, easily reversible contraception.
Approximately 13% of women of child-bearing age in 2022 who were prescribed opioids for more than 30 days a year were also prescribed a form of contraceptive.
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In 2022, Knox County had the highest total number of NAS births with 87 NAS infants.
*The average cost of care for an NAS infant in the first year of life is more than 1.1 times higher than the average cost of care for normal birth weight infants and more than 7.7 times higher than the average cost of care for low-birth-weight infants. |
Children with NAS are...
5x more likely to be readmitted to the hospital in the first five years of life, 11x more likely to enter state care in the first year of life. |
Source: Tennessee Bureau of TennCare. (2022). TennCare Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Data 2022. Retrieved from https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tenncare/documents/TennCareNASData2022.pdf
