Roots of Health was established with the aim of empowering women and young people to live healthy reproductive lives in Palawan. Teenage pregnancy rates in the Philippines average around 20%; in Palawan, the rate is around 25% with a higher number of pregnancies among girls aged 13-15 years.

Roots of Health use a two-pronged approach:

• Education & information: They are reaching comprehensive sexuality education in high schools and colleges, and training youth advocates; through this they cover a huge range of topics including puberty, gender, reproductive health, contraception, STIs and HIV/AIDS. They also deliver maternal health sessions, covering various health and rights topics including pregnancy, delivery and pre-and post-natal care, contraceptives and how they work, breastfeeding, human rights, family relationships, nutrition, and budgeting.
• Clinical service delivery: They run a Contraceptive Acceptors Programme & Healthy Pregnancy Programme. Through these programmes they offer all the methods of contraception that are legal in the Philippines, and offer pregnant women monthly prenatal exams, free prenatal vitamins & ultrasounds. Women are counselled and supported in creating and raising funds for their birth plan and subsequently offered post-partum and infant check-ups.

Here is a link to their website.