US has approved the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill following which the women and young girls in the United States will be able to buy contraceptive medication without showing prescription at the concerned retail outlet.&nbsp;

The US Food and Drug Administration's decision specifically pertains to Opill. This particular pill belongs to an older class of contraceptives, known as minipills, which contain a single synthetic hormone and generally have fewer side effects than the more commonly used combination hormone pills.

<h2>When will it be available?</h2>

The over-the-counter birth control pill will be available for shipping in early next year, it was revealed.

<h2>Why is over-the-counter availability unique?</h2>

Hormone-based pills have been widely used as the primary form of birth control in the US since the 1960s, where abortion rights have polarised the masses.

But, until now, a prescription was required for all of these pills.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

Medical societies and women's health groups have advocated for broader access to birth control, citing that approximately 45 per cent of the 6 million annual pregnancies in the US are unintended.

Teenagers, young adults, women of colour, and those with low incomes often face significant obstacles in obtaining prescriptions and accessing birth control due to factors such as the cost of doctor visits, time constraints, and lack of childcare.

In most parts of the world, India, China, Russia, Brazil and most Latin American countries,&nbsp;birth control pills have been&nbsp;available over-the-counter for years.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: Joe Biden unveils new order to protect access to contraception

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"This marks a significant advancement in contraceptive care access," Kelly Blanchard, president of Cambridge-based Ibis Reproductive Health, a non-profit organisation that supported the approval, was quoted as saying by Associated Press.

"Hopefully, this will help people overcome the existing barriers."

<h2>What is the price?</h2>

Perrigo, the pharmaceutical company&nbsp;based in Ireland, is yet to disclose the price of the pill.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-upsurge-in-demand-for-morning-after-pill-as-abortion-restrictions-persist-562700">US: Upsurge in demand for morning-after pill as abortion restrictions persist</a>

But it must be noted that over-the-counter medications are generally more affordable than prescription drugs. They, however, are typically not covered by insurance.&nbsp;

<h2>How it happened?</h2>

The American Medical Association&nbsp;supported Opill's application for over-the-counter status. An external panel of FDA advisers unanimously voted in favour of the switch during a May hearing, where numerous public speakers advocated for Opill's approval. 
 
Amid the widespread curtailment of women's reproductive rights in some US states, the approval is significant given the mounting&nbsp;pressure FDA faced from Democrat Party politicians, activists and medical professionals to facilitate access to easy birth control measures such as birth control pills.

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US has approved the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill following which the women and young girls in the United States will be able to buy contraceptive medication without showing prescription at the concerned retail outlet.

US has approved the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill following which the women and young girls in the United States will be able to buy contraceptive medication without showing prescription at the concerned retail outlet. The US Food and Drug Administration's decision specifically pertains to Opill. This particular pill belongs to an older class of contraceptives, known as minipills, which contain a single synthetic hormone and generally have fewer side effects than the more commonly used combination hormone pills. When will it be available? The over-the-counter birth control pill will be available for shipping in early next year, it was revealed. Why is over-the-counter availability unique? Hormone-based pills have been widely used as the primary form of birth control in the US since the 1960s, where abortion rights have polarised the masses. But, until now, a prescription was required for all of these pills. What does it mean? Medical societies and women's health groups have advocated for broader access to birth control, citing that approximately 45 per cent of the 6 million annual pregnancies in the US are unintended. Teenagers, young adults, women of colour, and those with low incomes often face significant obstacles in obtaining prescriptions and accessing birth control due to factors such as the cost of doctor visits, time constraints, and lack of childcare. In most parts of the world, India, China, Russia, Brazil and most Latin American countries, birth control pills have been available over-the-counter for years. Also watch | US: Joe Biden unveils new order to protect access to contraception × "This marks a significant advancement in contraceptive care access," Kelly Blanchard, president of Cambridge-based Ibis Reproductive Health, a non-profit organisation that supported the approval, was quoted as saying by Associated Press. "Hopefully, this will help people overcome the existing barriers." What is the price? Perrigo, the pharmaceutical company based in Ireland, is yet to disclose the price of the pill. Also read | US: Upsurge in demand for morning-after pill as abortion restrictions persist But it must be noted that over-the-counter medications are generally more affordable than prescription drugs. They, however, are typically not covered by insurance. How it happened? The American Medical Association supported Opill's application for over-the-counter status. An external panel of FDA advisers unanimously voted in favour of the switch during a May hearing, where numerous public speakers advocated for Opill's approval. Amid the widespread curtailment of women's reproductive rights in some US states, the approval is significant given the mounting pressure FDA faced from Democrat Party politicians, activists and medical professionals to facilitate access to easy birth control measures such as birth control pills. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Soon, American women will be able to buy birth control pills without prescription

Data released by the US National Center for Health Statistics on Wednesday showed a rise in pregnancy-related deaths for mothers across America in 2020, with black women three times more likely to die than white women.

The report showed the rate was 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, far higher than comparable countries, such as Canada, where it was 7.5 per 100,000, according to OECD statistics for the same year.

In 2020, the US witnessed 861 maternal deaths, which the World Health Organisation defines as a death while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management.

In 2019, the number of deaths per 100,000 live US births was 20.1, while in 2018 it was 17.4.

But the numbers rise even higher when focused solely on non-white mothers. Pregnancy-related deaths for black mothers jumped from 44 per 100,000 births in 2019 to 55 the next year.

For Hispanic mothers, the number climbed from 13 to 18 during the same period.

While maternal mortality dropped across the world in the 20th century with the help of vast improvements in medical care, the United States saw a record plunge since 2000, unlike most other countries.

In fact, the last time the US rate was officially this high was in 1968, though a new reporting methodology was introduced in 2018, reports AFP.

Possible reasons for such disparities and the overall jump in deaths were not mentioned in Wednesday’s report, though researchers believe that the coronavirus may have played some role.

"We observed increases across a broad number of categories, and COVID-19 likely contributed,"&nbsp;Donna Hoyert, author of the report, told AFP about the results.&nbsp;

(With contributions from agencies)

Data released by the US National Center for Health Statistics on Wednesday showed a rise in pregnancy-related deaths for mothers across America in 2020, with black women three times more likely to die than white women.

Data released by the US National Center for Health Statistics on Wednesday showed a rise in pregnancy-related deaths for mothers across America in 2020, with black women three times more likely to die than white women. The report showed the rate was 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, far higher than comparable countries, such as Canada, where it was 7.5 per 100,000, according to OECD statistics for the same year. In 2020, the US witnessed 861 maternal deaths, which the World Health Organisation defines as a death while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. In 2019, the number of deaths per 100,000 live US births was 20.1, while in 2018 it was 17.4. But the numbers rise even higher when focused solely on non-white mothers. Pregnancy-related deaths for black mothers jumped from 44 per 100,000 births in 2019 to 55 the next year. For Hispanic mothers, the number climbed from 13 to 18 during the same period. While maternal mortality dropped across the world in the 20th century with the help of vast improvements in medical care, the United States saw a record plunge since 2000, unlike most other countries. In fact, the last time the US rate was officially this high was in 1968, though a new reporting methodology was introduced in 2018, reports AFP. Possible reasons for such disparities and the overall jump in deaths were not mentioned in Wednesday’s report, though researchers believe that the coronavirus may have played some role. "We observed increases across a broad number of categories, and COVID-19 likely contributed," Donna Hoyert, author of the report, told AFP about the results. (With contributions from agencies)

US maternal mortality rate rises, Black women 3 times more likely to die than White counterparts: Study

The US Department of Justice on Wednesday announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.&nbsp;

"The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence. In fact, in some communities across America, roughly half of the homicides are related to domestic violence," US Attorney General William Barr said in the release.

According to the CDC, data suggests that about one in six homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.

Domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than those living in gun-free homes, the release said.

About 40 percent of Americans say that they or someone in their household has a gun, according to multiple public opinion surveys.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Department of Justice on Wednesday announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. "The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence.

The US Department of Justice on Wednesday announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. "The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence. In fact, in some communities across America, roughly half of the homicides are related to domestic violence," US Attorney General William Barr said in the release. According to the CDC, data suggests that about one in six homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner. Domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than those living in gun-free homes, the release said. About 40 percent of Americans say that they or someone in their household has a gun, according to multiple public opinion surveys. (With inputs from agencies)

US Justice Department charges over 500 domestic violence-related firearm cases in 2020

Football in 2019: Liverpool rules | US women's team wins World Cup | Lionel Messi takes Ballon d'Or

Two US women detained by a border patrol agent in the state of Montana after he heard them speaking Spanish in a grocery store have sued the country's border protection agency.

Video of the incident -- which took place last May in the small town of Havre -- showed Agent Paul O'Neal tell Ana Suda and Martha Hernandez that he had asked to see their identification as it was unusual to hear Spanish speakers in the state, which borders Canada.

"It has to do with you guys speaking Spanish in the store in a state where it's predominately English speaking," he said.&nbsp;

"It's not illegal, it's just very unheard of up here," he told the women.

The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday filed suit against US Customs and Border Protection on behalf of the women, who live in Havre.

Suda and Hernandez say in the lawsuit that O'Neal detained them for 40 minutes.

California native Hernandez and Suda, who was born in Texas, said they were standing in line to buy milk and eggs when the agent -- who was standing behind them -- commented on Hernandez's accent and asked the women where they were born.

"I asked, 'Are you serious'?" Suda said, according to the lawsuit. "Agent O'Neal responded that he was 'dead serious'."

The two women say they were then asked to show identification and questioned outside the store, before eventually being released.

"The incident itself is part of a broader pattern that we've seen of abusive tactics by border patrol which has gotten worse since the Trump administration, which has left border patrol officers feeling emboldened to take actions like this," Cody Wofsy, an attorney with the ACLU, told AFP.

"This has been devastating for (Suda and Hernandez)," he added.

"Havre is a small town, they felt ostracized and humiliated and made to feel unwelcome in their own town and in their own country."

He noted the United States has no official language, with Spanish by far the most common language spoken after English.

A Customs and Border Protection spokesman declined to comment on the case.

"As a matter of policy, US Customs and Border Protection does not comment on pending litigation," he told AFP in a statement. "However, lack of comment should not be construed as agreement or stipulation with any of the allegations."

Two US women detained by a border patrol agent in the state of Montana after he heard them speaking Spanish in a grocery store have sued the country's border protection agency.

Two US women detained by a border patrol agent in the state of Montana after he heard them speaking Spanish in a grocery store have sued the country's border protection agency. Video of the incident -- which took place last May in the small town of Havre -- showed Agent Paul O'Neal tell Ana Suda and Martha Hernandez that he had asked to see their identification as it was unusual to hear Spanish speakers in the state, which borders Canada. "It has to do with you guys speaking Spanish in the store in a state where it's predominately English speaking," he said. "It's not illegal, it's just very unheard of up here," he told the women. The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday filed suit against US Customs and Border Protection on behalf of the women, who live in Havre. Suda and Hernandez say in the lawsuit that O'Neal detained them for 40 minutes. California native Hernandez and Suda, who was born in Texas, said they were standing in line to buy milk and eggs when the agent -- who was standing behind them -- commented on Hernandez's accent and asked the women where they were born. "I asked, 'Are you serious'?" Suda said, according to the lawsuit. "Agent O'Neal responded that he was 'dead serious'." The two women say they were then asked to show identification and questioned outside the store, before eventually being released. "The incident itself is part of a broader pattern that we've seen of abusive tactics by border patrol which has gotten worse since the Trump administration, which has left border patrol officers feeling emboldened to take actions like this," Cody Wofsy, an attorney with the ACLU, told AFP. "This has been devastating for (Suda and Hernandez)," he added. "Havre is a small town, they felt ostracized and humiliated and made to feel unwelcome in their own town and in their own country." He noted the United States has no official language, with Spanish by far the most common language spoken after English. A Customs and Border Protection spokesman declined to comment on the case. "As a matter of policy, US Customs and Border Protection does not comment on pending litigation," he told AFP in a statement. "However, lack of comment should not be construed as agreement or stipulation with any of the allegations."

US women detained for speaking Spanish sue border agency

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Soon, American women will be able to buy birth control pills without prescription

US maternal mortality rate rises, Black women 3 times more likely to die than White counterparts: Study

US Justice Department charges over 500 domestic violence-related firearm cases in 2020

Football in 2019: Liverpool rules | US women's team wins World Cup | Lionel Messi takes Ballon d'Or

US women detained for speaking Spanish sue border agency