Why does the website include content from outside groups and individuals?

When Our Bodies Ourselves first began in 1969, it was difficult to find even the most basic information about women’s bodies, sexuality, and reproductive health. These topics were not discussed in public, or, often, in private, and the internet didn’t exist.

Today, information about bodies, sexuality, and health is abundant. Yet the quality, trustworthiness, and inclusivity of that information varies enormously. In fact, beyond simply overlooking important information and perspectives, political entities invest heavily in generating and spreading misinformation and disinformation.

What we find in the media too often fails to include the diversity of people’s lived experiences, is biased by corporate and pharmaceutical interests, and neglects the social, economic, and political factors that influence our health and sexuality. This is one reason Our Bodies Ourselves is still needed.

At the same time, many groups and individuals – including those in the public health, self-help, disability rights, academia, reproductive justice, and patient-centered communities — have created trustworthy, accurate, and enlightening health and sexuality resources. But these resources, often created by people who don’t have funding to promote them, usually get buried in Google search results.

Our Bodies Ourselves draws from this large group of excellent resources. We carefully review and evaluate all of the high quality, free materials we select – whether they are created by an individual, an advocacy group, a nonprofit organization, government agency, or other source – and only include the best of what we find.