On Wednesday, Katie Detgen, District Health Department No. 4 emergency preparedness coordinator, is seen holding an educational pamphlet which details reproductive health resources available at the department.

ALPLENA — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and District Health Department No. 4 (DHD4), in partnership with the Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has concluded its yearlong Take Control of Your Birth Control campaign. DHD4 says it still has reproductive health supplies available at their offices.

According to an MDHHS press release on Nov. 12, the statewide initiative brought free contraception and reproductive health resources to all 83 counties through more than 440 partner sites.

“Everyone, no matter how much money they make, deserves to make their own decisions about their own reproductive health and future,” Whitmer said in the release. “This campaign is a powerful example of what happens when we prioritize people’s health and work together with our communities. By putting essential reproductive care in reach, we’ve empowered thousands of Michiganders to take control of their future and access critical support for themselves and their families. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to reach people where they are and move Michigan forward. I’ll keep fighting like hell to protect Michiganders’ fundamental rights.”

The campaign was launched in November 2024, and provided Michigan residents access to essential reproductive health items including emergency contraception, oral contraceptive pills, condoms, and pregnancy tests, according to the release. Items were given without cost or insurance requirements.

The release states that in total, the campaign distributed 460,000 resources across Michigan, which included:

— 60,000 doses of emergency contraception

— 60,000 doses of oral contraceptive pills

— 340,000 condoms

— 7,300 pregnancy tests

According to MDHHS, supplies were shipped to a wide range of locations, including community health centers, libraries, salons, LGBTQ+ centers, community organizations, coffee shops, and more.

“Access to contraception and reproductive care is a fundamental part of public health,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, said in the release. “This campaign not only put health resources directly into people’s hands — it sparked critical conversations about reproductive health, STI prevention and health coverage. I’m deeply grateful to our partners across the state for helping to make Take Control of Your Birth Control possible.”

Chelsea Engle, public health nursing director, told The News that DHD4 participated in the campaign and still have supplies to give out to residents.

“We happily participated in the Take Control of Your Birth Control campaign,” Engle said. “We would just like our communities to know we still have supplies available at each of our locations in Alpena, Atlanta, Rogers City, and Cheboygan.”

Engle explained that supplies are packed into “discrete” blue bags and are “absolutely free.” She said that community members can pick them up at the front desk of DHD4 locations Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.