Population Council Research that makes a difference

Planned Parenthood Federation of America Honors Distinguished Reproductive Health Scientist Irving Sivin

WASHINGTON, DC (23 September 2008) — Population Council senior scientist Irving Sivin is the first recipient of the Planned Parenthood National Medical Committee’s Irv Sivin Lifetime Achievement Award. The award commemorates Sivin's commitment and critical contributions to contraception and reproductive health. Sivin was recognized at Planned Parenthood’s annual National Medical Conference on 20 September in Washington, DC.

“Women worldwide have access to safe, highly effective, long-acting, reversible contraceptive methods because of Irving Sivin,” said Vanessa Cullins, MD, vice president of medical affairs for Planned Parenthood. “For 40 years, Irv Sivin has dedicated his work to ensuring that women remain healthy and safe while delaying motherhood and preventing unintended pregnancy.”

Sivin’s work is largely responsible for American women’s access to the Copper T 380A intrauterine device (IUD) (ParaGard®) and the levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system (Mirena®). As the chief statistician evaluating the effectiveness of family planning programs overseas, Sivin demonstrated in the early 1970s that the IUD was superior in pregnancy prevention and continuation rates when compared to oral contraceptives and condoms, which were the principal reversible contraceptive methods available at that time. Sivin designed and analyzed the first clinical studies of copper IUDs for organized family planning programs overseas.

As a senior scientist at the Population Council, Sivin also analyzed the Phase 3 clinical trials that led the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve ParaGard for use by American women and prepared the clinical analyses that led to the FDA approval of the Norplant® contraceptive implant. He prepared analyses for the European Union’s approval of Norplant and of Jadelle® contraceptive implants (available in Europe). Currently, Sivin is analyzing several Phase 2 contraceptive trials and is completing a Phase 3 trial of a one-year vaginal contraceptive ring.

Commenting on the award, Sivin said, “This honor connects my work at the Population Council—aimed at improving reproductive health in developing countries—with the work of Planned Parenthood, which has made immense contributions to reproductive health for American women and men. I am happy and privileged to play a role in helping people worldwide plan their families.”

Globally, Irving Sivin is recognized as an extremely accomplished statistical scientist, with more than 120 peer-reviewed publications. Over the past 25 years, he has regularly served as an expert consultant to the World Health Organization’s Reproductive Health and Research Division.

Irving Sivin’s contributions to contraception and family planning have helped to revolutionize the field of reproductive health.

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