The second day at FHI 360 revolved primarily around one aspect of public health: contraception. FHI’s mission has expanded significantly to encompass various aspects of public and family health since its inception, however one of its original goals of promoting contraception and family planning has remained a key component of its work. Yesterday, we were introduced to Mrs. Sergison, who gave us an extensive look into how the human reproductive system operates, and the various aspects of it that contraceptive methods inhibit, in order to prevent pregnancy. We learned about the three levels of efficacy within the contraceptive field: low efficacy, moderate efficacy, and high efficacy. At the bottom, are low efficacy methods, which surprisingly are the ones most apparent in media, like condoms and vaginal rings. Then we learned about, moderately effective methods like birth control pills, and finally we were introduced to the implants and intrauterine devices that FHI 360 is working on developing. Different technologies like Mirena, and biodegradable implants are predicted to be the future of birth control, and FHI 360 is working tirelessly to develop and research those methods in their existing form.
One of my primary goals at FHI 360 will be centered around user-centered design, or UCD. You may have the best birth control on the market or another groundbreaking technology, but the potential to be revolutionary only comes from the consumers; if no one is willing to use your product, it doesn’t matter how good it is. At FHI 360, one of the objectives that Salma, Chiara, Krishan, and I are focused on is figuring out the facilitators and inhibitors of adherence to contraceptives, as well as what women are looking for in contraception around the world. The goal of compiling the data, is to be able to inform scientists and engineers on technologies that should be prioritized. A significant obstacle that FHI 360 faces, is the conservative administration and congress. Relying on government grant money, FHI 360 isn’t given unlimited funding – especially not in 2018. The impact of that on the organization, is a heightened focus on proper resource allocation, pragmatism, and the actual needs of the consumers. 
