Caraway’s Post

We're #hiring for a new Therapist (Telehealth) who is licensed in New York State (role is virtual). Apply today or reach out to Laura Hollander with any questions!

We are deeply grateful to Nurx from Thirty Madison for their Reproductive Rights Watch report, which highlights the often-overlooked consequences of the ongoing assault on reproductive rights. This data reflects the reality we navigate with Caraway patients every day: the impact of losing the right to choose extends far beyond family planning. The lack of bodily autonomy profoundly affects the mental health of many individuals who can become pregnant. This underscores our commitment to integrated care. Effectively supporting sexual and reproductive health must also address mental health, whether it involves understanding the stress that might delay a woman’s period or acknowledging the history of depression that could make her apprehensive about hormonal birth control side effects. We uphold the highest standards in patient privacy and security to ensure patients always feel safe with our clinicians, trusting that their information and decisions remain solely their own. Evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare will always drive better outcomes than choices dictated by political agendas.

Notice anything different? The next time you check out Caraway, you just might! We’ve updated our brand colors, fonts, and imagery to create a more welcoming, relatable member experience. Members will still receive the same integrated, comprehensive, accessible care they’ve come to expect from our incredible Care Team. From therapy to birth control and beyond — the care experience remains unchanged. Now, everything is just a little nicer to look at. Go ahead and check it out for yourself at https://lnkd.in/g-pzVShM. And while you’re there, scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and sign up for our newsletter to get all the latest updates on what’s new at Caraway Health. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

A recent study out of the University of California, Berkeley, found trace amounts of 16 metals in 24 types of tampons from 14 different global brands. Understandably, there has been some public panic about what this means for the health of those people who use tampons regularly. While some metals they found, like Pb (lead), have no known “safe exposure” levels, others, like zinc, iron, and calcium, are not only considered safe but are necessary for the body. Most metals found in the tampons examined in this study, including some that are unsafe, are found in higher concentrations in bottled water and other products people use daily. That means that, while the findings aren’t necessarily ideal, there’s no reason to toss out your tampons or immediately make a switch to a tampon alternative. The more pressing matter, and what we’re particularly interested in, is that this is the first study of its kind. It highlights just how far behind we are when it comes to addressing, from a scientific and research perspective, the healthcare of women and AFAB folks. While we will work with our members to help them fully understand what this study's results mean for them, this research must incite additional, similar studies to further expand our knowledge base regarding products people use daily, especially those that impact women’s health. Hear from our Director of Women's Health here: https://lnkd.in/gJdasY6e Read the study here: https://lnkd.in/geWXcZ59

Recently, The Cut ran an article titled "Is It Time to Quit Therapy?" The subhead read, "For years, we were told it was the key to living a good life. What if we don't want to go anymore?" Fair. Totally fair. Everyone should feel free and empowered to walk away from any practice they feel isn't serving them anymore. However, perhaps the more necessary thing is to rewrite the idea that therapy has ever been the key to "living a good life." Therapy is a practice that can help people reflect, gain insight, change direction, and tune into their own feelings, needs, and emotions. But often, that doesn't equate to "good." Therapy can be good, but it can also be frustrating, embarrassing, and even boring at times. It may never make your life "good," but it can help you figure out how to find workable solutions or tools that are right for you and can help you cope. At Caraway, we do our best to work with members and help them find a mental health practice that best meets their needs. Some are best served by brief therapy interventions, while others want more regular sessions, and others prefer coaching. We work with them to figure out what works best for them, landing them in the right place together. For more on The Cut article, check out one of our psychologist's thoughts on the article here: https://lnkd.in/gCQVZTHR You can read the article in full here: https://lnkd.in/gKd8RzyU

Today is the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, marking an egregious backslide in American reproductive rights. The right of every person to make decisions about their own body is fundamental, and we must be vigilant to ensure that we don’t continue to turn back the clock for this and future generations. We must push for legislation that protects and expands access to reproductive healthcare, support organizations providing vital services, and educate young people about their rights and options. We must also provide healthcare that acknowledges the increasingly complex realities women and AFAB people face and address the systemic inequalities that hinder true reproductive freedom. This decision came down three months before Caraway launched, galvanizing us to further prioritize offering comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health services, including medication abortion. These services are fully integrated with primary and mental healthcare, and remain a crucial part of how we serve Caraway members. On this anniversary, we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that every woman has the autonomy to make informed decisions about her body, her health and her future. Together, we can create a world where reproductive justice is not just a vision but a reality for all 💜

We're really proud of the work we're doing to change the healthcare landscape, but sometimes, we think it's best to hear from members about their experience with Caraway. That's why we're sharing a few recent reviews — so you can hear firsthand how members feel about the work we do for and with them every day. 💜 "I cannot say enough good things about this app. I struggle to get access to reliable healthcare, and Caraway has saved me countless times. The Care Team has always has a response in under 5 minutes, and on top of that, they are so sweet and supportive! If you're looking for healthcare from your phone, look no further!" - Alice 💜 "One of the easiest ways to access a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional. Everyone is super kind and helpful, and I truly feel everyone should have this kind of access to healthcare. Definitely give it a shot." - Jesse 💜 "I'm the type that puts off going to the doctor because of all the work around researching, finding, and scheduling an appointment. Downloading, registering, and getting set up on Caraway was a breeze. I was able to share what was going on and get the help I needed without the usual pain of finding a doctor and getting an appointment. I recommend it to all my friends and family." - Madison

Dr. Michelle Gourdine, chief medical officer at CVS Caremark, recently claimed that over 90 million Americans have poor health literacy. This means that over 90 million Americans lack the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions. That’s a major problem — one we’re working on addressing with our members every day at Caraway. The healthcare system is notoriously difficult to navigate, which is why we have health advisors and counselors who work with members to help them understand basic concepts that, for the average person, actually aren’t so basic. We take it as a personal responsibility to work with this generation and future generations to ensure they not only have access to care but also understand how to access that care and ask for exactly what they need. Our goal is to help members navigate the impossibly complicated system we have today and to push for the simplification of that system — there's no reason it should be this difficult to take care of yourself. https://lnkd.in/eYsMCEmv

Our Chief Health Officer, Cheryl Baggeroer Turner, shared her thoughts on #mentalhealthawareness month and all the amazing work our Care Team is doing to meet member needs now and always. Check it out! ⤵ 💜