Antiguan Research Makes International Impact: Scrub Life Cares Selected to Present Groundbreaking Menstrual Health Study at Two Global Public Health Conferences
In a proud moment for Antigua and Barbuda, Scrub Life Cares (SLC) has been selected to present original, locally conducted research on menstrual health at two of the world’s leading public health conferences this November: the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Expo in Washington, D.C., and the 13th World Congress on Adolescent Health, hosted by the International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
This is a historic moment for Scrub Life Cares, a grassroots, woman-led nonprofit organization based in Antigua and Barbuda and South Carolina, and a powerful testament to the relevance and rigor of Caribbean-based, community-rooted research.
At APHA 2025, SLC will present the poster:
“Exploring Menstrual Health Inequities in Antigua: A Qualitative Study on Period Poverty and Access to Reproductive Health Education” as part of the International Health Program on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Later that week, the organization will share findings from the research project,
“Periods & Period Products: A Qualitative Research Report,” at the World Congress on Adolescent Health in Jamaica.
These presentations highlight findings from a qualitative research study conducted during the organization’s “Your Voice Matters” interactive session in October 2024, in partnership with Aritex Biotech, a UK-based health and biotech company. While the study is presented under different titles tailored to each conference, both reflect the same critical research exploring period poverty, menstrual stigma, and access to reproductive health education in Antigua and Barbuda, a topic too often overlooked, yet deeply intertwined with public health, dignity, and gender equity.
This marks Scrub Life Cares’ second appearance at the American Public Health Association’s prestigious Annual Meeting. In 2023, the organization’s impactful short film on period poverty was accepted into the APHA Short Film Festival, showcasing the emotional and social realities of period poverty through a Caribbean lens. In 2025, Scrub Life Cares returns to APHA, this time with data-driven, community-rooted research that reaffirms the organization’s commitment to both storytelling and evidence-based advocacy.
“To see our small island’s stories, challenges, and solutions make it to the big stage is incredibly humbling,” said Tanya Ambrose, MPH, Founder and CEO of Scrub Life Cares. “This moment isn’t just about recognition, it’s about validation of the lived experiences of our community and the urgent need to advance menstrual equity as a public health priority.”
Scrub Life Cares prides itself on evidence-based programming. This research reflects its ongoing commitment to dignified access to menstrual and hygiene products, comprehensive health education, and community empowerment. Its flagship initiative, the Grow With the Flo: Women & Girls Health Expo, now in its fourth year, has served as a vibrant platform for intergenerational care, menstrual health education, and reproductive justice, reaching hundreds of attendees annually. The study’s findings directly inform the future of this work.
“This research can serve as a catalyst for policy advocacy, deeper community partnerships, and stronger integration of menstrual equity into national public health strategies,” Ambrose added. “We see the potential for impactful collaborations with the Ministries of Health and Education, and even broader conversations around health tourism and sustainable, gender-inclusive health systems in Antigua and Barbuda.”
Although Scrub Life Cares is a small organization, its impact has transcended borders, with growing visibility in the United States, particularly in South Carolina, where Ambrose completed her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Services Policy and Management and a Certificate in Maternal and Child Health. Her work seamlessly blends research, advocacy, and public engagement to build systems that center the voices and needs of girls and women.
“Being able to take research conducted here at home in Antigua, in partnership with an international company like Aritex Biotech, and elevate it on global platforms speaks directly to my public health training, my roots, and my heart,” said Ambrose.
A Grateful Acknowledgment
Scrub Life Cares extends its deepest thanks to the individuals who participated in the study, making this research possible. The community members who shared their experiences, and the passionate team behind the scenes. This qualitative study would not have been possible without the full engagement and collaboration of the following individuals:
- Mrs. Billie Sterling-Lewis, MBA, PgDip, MSc
- Miss Chloe Ambrose, MPH
- Shushanna Ambrose
- Miss Claire Donahue
- Miss Shavani Stewart- Founder of The Red Pledge Iniatiative
- Miss Britney McDonald, PMP
- Miss Tia Philip, MSc
- Miss Kayla Joy Richards- Cofounder of Humble and Free Wadadli
- Miss Janet Simon- Caricom Youth Ambassador
- Miss Villacy Clendenen
- Mr. Karil Knight
- Miss Kirah Gregory
- Lyneth Freeland
- Desiree Markham- Antigua Queen of Carnival 2024
“This research is theirs as much as it is ours. It belongs to the community, and to a future where no girl or woman is left behind because of her period,” Ambrose concluded.
About Scrub Life Cares
Founded in 2020, Scrub Life Cares is a nonprofit organization that increases access to menstrual health resources and comprehensive reproductive and sexual health education in schools and the wider community in to promote student well-being, dignity, and equity. Its signature event, the Grow With the Flo: Women & Girls Health Expo, has served hundreds across Antigua and Barbuda, and its programs continue to center holistic, intergenerational care and menstrual justice.
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