Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaiʻi, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky (PPGNHAIK) launched a Virtual Health Center in Indiana, providing patients nationwide access to reproductive and sexual health services.
Through a secure video platform, Hoosiers can connect with trusted providers to discuss birth control, emergency contraception, gender-affirming care, STI testing and treatment, menopause support, pregnancy planning and more.
The Virtual Health Center comes at a critical time for Indiana, as rural hospital closures and cutbacks in OB services have created severe gaps in care. According to Power to Decide, 428,540 women of reproductive age in Indiana live in “contraceptive deserts,” with 102,580 residing in counties that lack any comprehensive contraception providers.
“For many Hoosiers, telehealth isn’t just about convenience — it’s about survival,” said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of PPGNHAIK. “Indiana faces incredibly pressing sexual health challenges, from high STI rates to maternal health crises. Expanding telehealth options means breaking down barriers and ensuring patients can access compassionate, high-quality care no matter where they live.”
Nearly 40 counties in Indiana lack inpatient delivery services, leaving many pregnant patients without nearby care. Nearly two out of five infant deaths are linked to inadequate prenatal care.
In addition, STI rates have surged. Gonorrhea cases have seen a slight increase over the past five years, Syphilis cases have increased 119% in the same period, with cases among women rising by approximately 430% and Congenital syphilis cases in Indiana have surged by 2,300% from 2018 to 2023.
Planned Parenthood operates 11 health centers across Indiana, with the Virtual Health Center now expanding statewide access. To schedule a telehealth visit, Hoosiers can visit plannedparenthood.org/health-center, enter their state and select telehealth.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
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