Report on the Historical Contribution of Cosmopolitan Magazine to Reproductive Health Education and the Sustainable Development Goals

For several decades, Cosmopolitan magazine has served as a significant informational resource on reproductive and sexual health. This report analyzes the publication’s historical coverage, aligning its efforts with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The magazine’s work has consistently focused on providing access to information, a key component of SDG Target 3.7 (universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services) and SDG Target 5.6 (universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights).

Chronological Analysis of Published Content in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

The following is a decade-by-decade breakdown of key articles, demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing health literacy and gender equality.

The 1960s: Foundational Education on Reproductive Rights

During this period, coverage focused on nascent reproductive technologies and the legal challenges preceding Roe v. Wade, establishing a foundation for informed choice in line with SDG 3.

• July 1967: “I Didn’t Have the Baby. I Had the Abortion” – This personal account highlighted the significant barriers to safe healthcare before its legalization, underscoring the importance of the legal frameworks that support SDG 3 and SDG 5.
• November 1967: “Living With the Pill” – A comprehensive guide to the birth control pill, this article directly supported SDG Target 3.7 by promoting education on family planning methods and empowering individuals with knowledge for their well-being.

The 1970s: Normalizing Contraception and New Technologies

Following the introduction of the birth control pill, the magazine worked to normalize its use and introduce new options, furthering the goals of universal access to family planning.

1. February 1970: “A Gynecologist Tells the Reassuring Truth About the Pill” – This piece aimed to destigmatize contraception, a crucial step in achieving the gender equality objectives of SDG 5 by promoting female autonomy over reproductive choices.
2. July 1972: “The New CU-7 Birth Control Device” – By educating readers on the copper IUD before its widespread availability, the publication advanced health literacy and awareness of diverse contraceptive options, contributing to SDG Target 3.7.

The 1980s: Addressing Misinformation and Emotional Well-being

This decade saw a focus on the complex realities of reproductive healthcare, including combating misinformation and addressing the psychological aspects of abortion, aligning with the holistic health approach of SDG 3.

• March 1987: “I Went (Undercover) to an Anti-Abortion ‘Clinic’” – This investigative report exposed misinformation campaigns that create barriers to legitimate healthcare, highlighting threats to SDG 3 and the need for strong, just institutions (SDG 16) to protect public health.
• November 1984: “The Trauma of Abortion” – This article addressed the mental health dimension of reproductive choices, promoting a comprehensive view of well-being (SDG 3) and fighting the stigma that undermines gender equality (SDG 5).

The 1990s: Investigating Institutional Challenges

Coverage in the 1990s delved into the organized movements impacting reproductive rights, analyzing the institutional and societal forces at play.

• January 1995: “The Fierce, Furious March of the Fundamentalists” – This feature examined the rise of the anti-abortion movement, providing critical context on the institutional challenges (SDG 16) to maintaining universal access to reproductive healthcare as mandated by SDG 3.7 and SDG 5.6.

The 2000s: Enhancing Contraceptive Literacy

The focus returned to clear, accessible information to ensure individuals could make the best choices for their health.

• March 2001: “Find the Best Birth Control for You” – A detailed guide to all available contraceptive methods, this story directly addressed the goal of ending “contraception confusion,” thereby empowering readers and supporting SDG Target 3.7.

The 2010s: Defending Access Amidst Political Threats

As political and legislative challenges to reproductive rights intensified, coverage shifted to defending access to care and explaining the high stakes involved.

1. April 2016: “How to Have a Safe Abortion” – In response to new legal restrictions, this guide provided vital information on accessing resources, directly working to mitigate threats to SDG 3 and SDG 5.
2. Coverage of Trump-era policies: Reporting on legislative attempts to limit access to affordable birth control highlighted how such policies exacerbate inequality (SDG 10) and undermine fundamental health rights.

The 2020s: Innovation and Response in a Post-Roe Era

The current decade is marked by a response to major legal setbacks and a continued focus on innovation and access, reinforcing a commitment to the SDGs in a volatile environment.

• Male Contraceptive Gel Trials: Reporting on this potential innovation supports SDG 5 by promoting shared responsibility in family planning and expanding contraceptive options for all.
• Response to Overturning Roe v. Wade: The magazine’s comprehensive response—debunking misinformation and providing resources—underscored the fragility of legal protections and the critical link between just institutions (SDG 16) and public health outcomes (SDG 3).
• Mobile Abortion Clinics Report: This story showcased innovative solutions to overcome access barriers, demonstrating a practical approach to achieving SDG Target 3.7 in restrictive environments.
• Post-Birth Control Health: By exploring the health effects of discontinuing hormonal birth control, the publication continues to provide comprehensive health information essential for long-term well-being (SDG 3).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article is fundamentally about health, specifically sexual and reproductive health. It details Cosmopolitan’s history of providing information on topics like “birth control, sexual health, fertility, and abortion.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article emphasizes empowering individuals, particularly young people and women, to “protect their bodies and own their choices.” It discusses “reproductive freedoms” and the fight against restrictions, which are central to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The text repeatedly refers to the legal and political landscape surrounding reproductive rights, mentioning the “U.S. Supreme Court,” the legalization of abortion via “Roe v. Wade,” and its subsequent overturning. This connects to the goal of promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies, particularly concerning access to justice and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.
   • This target is central to the article. The magazine’s coverage aims to provide “information and education” on family planning methods like “the Pill,” the “copper IUD,” and a “male contraceptive gel.” It also addresses access to services like “safe abortion” and navigating legal restrictions to find “vital resources,” directly supporting the goal of universal access.
2. Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
   • The article’s focus on “reproductive freedoms,” the right to choose (“I Didn’t Have the Baby. I Had the Abortion”), and the political battles over these rights directly relates to this target. The magazine’s efforts to provide information and resources, especially after “the Supreme Court recently overturned that fundamental right,” are aimed at helping individuals exercise their reproductive rights.
3. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.
   • Cosmopolitan’s mission, as described in the article, is to provide “young people with the information they need.” The publication of “in-depth guides,” “deep legal context,” and the “debunking of misinformation” are explicit examples of ensuring public access to information. The discussion of the overturning of “Roe v. Wade” as a “fundamental right” highlights the connection to protecting fundamental freedoms.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 3.7 (Access to sexual and reproductive health-care):
   • Implied Indicator (related to 3.7.1 – Need for family planning satisfied): The article discusses a wide range of contraceptive options over the decades, from “the Pill” in 1967 to the “copper IUD” in 1972 and a “male contraceptive gel” in the 2020s. The magazine’s effort to publish guides to “Find the Best Birth Control for You” implies a focus on ensuring individuals can find and use modern contraceptive methods that satisfy their needs.
2. For Target 5.6 (Access to sexual and reproductive health and rights):
   • Implied Indicator (related to 5.6.1 – Women making informed decisions): The article’s core purpose is to provide information so people can “own their choices.” The personal accounts and guides on abortion and birth control are tools to enable informed decision-making regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive healthcare.
   • Implied Indicator (related to 5.6.2 – Laws and regulations guaranteeing access): The article directly tracks this indicator by referencing key legal events. It notes the legalization of abortion through “Roe v. Wade” and its subsequent overturning by the “Supreme Court,” as well as politicians enacting “new restrictions on later-term abortions.” This provides a clear, albeit qualitative, measure of the legal framework governing access to reproductive health in the U.S.
3. For Target 16.10 (Public access to information and fundamental freedoms):
   • Implied Indicator (Public access to information): The existence of the articles themselves—such as the “thorough, four-page guide” on the pill or the “12-page story” on safe abortion—serves as a direct, tangible example of providing public access to information. The magazine’s work to “debunk misinformation” further reinforces this.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cosmopolitan.com