The National Campaign Becomes Power to Decide

New Name Reflects National Sentiment of Nation’s Youth

(Washington, D.C.) — Power to Decide, the campaign to prevent unplanned pregnancy, has officially become the new name of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (The National Campaign). The change makes unmistakable the organization’s focus on ensuring that all young people, no matter who they are or where they live, have the power to decide their futures.

“Power to Decide is not just our new name, it is our vision for young people—no matter who they are or where they live,” said Ginny Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer. “Power to Decide builds on 21 years of success reaching young people as The National Campaign. Now, as Power to Decide, we will focus on helping young people harness the power to decide their futures by ensuring that they have the information, access, and opportunity necessary to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant.”

New national polling released today by Power to Decide confirms overwhelming support for access to the full range of birth control methods as a critical way to build opportunity for young people.

The survey of more than 2,000 individuals age 18 and older also revealed that:

• 94% of respondents agree that everyone should have the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant.
• 9 out of 10 respondents agree that young people with the power to decide if and when to get pregnant have more opportunities and are better able to realize their full potential.
• 87% of respondents believe birth control gives people the power to decide their futures.
• 87% of respondents agree that everyone deserves access to the full range of birth control methods, no matter who they are, where they live, and what their economic status is.

Although there have been historic declines in rates of teen and unplanned pregnancy, access to quality sexual health information and birth control in the U.S. remains uneven. Consequently, it is still the case that one in four young women will become pregnant before age 20, and the U.S. still has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the industrialized world. More than 19 million women in need live in contraceptive deserts—defined by their lack of reasonable access to public health care sites that offer the full range of contraceptive methods.

 “Most young people say they do not want to become pregnant anytime soon, and every one of them should be able to take the steps to make that intention a reality,” said Stephen A. Weiswasser, Chair, Power to Decide Board of Directors. “Our new name exemplifies our commitment to providing trusted and accurate information and to end gaps in contraceptive access and therefore disparities in rates of unplanned pregnancy.”

To learn more about Power to Decide, visit www.PowerToDecide.org.

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live, or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.