A NEW REPORT FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION FINDS AN INCREASE IN BIRTH CONTROL USE AMONG WOMEN IN THE U.S.

(Washington, D.C.) — According to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (CDC NCHS), the number of women using a method of contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy has increased.  Specifically, in 2015-2017, nearly 65% of women aged 15 to 49 in the United States used a method of contraception, which is an increase from the 61.1% of women who were previously surveyed from 2011 to 2015.

In response to the report, Dr. Colleen Crittenden Murray, Senior Science Officer, Power to Decide, issued the following statement:

“Unquestionably, we believe our efforts to provide medically accurate information, and increase opportunity among women to access the full spectrum of contraceptive options has positively contributed to the higher prevalence of birth control use in this country.  Eliminating copay and expanding Medicaid coverage has also contributed to making access to contraception more readily available and thus increasing overall use, as indicated in the report.  Today, the consistent attacks on reproductive health, which include reducing access to reproductive health services and quality sexual health information for people who need it most, threaten women’s ability to achieve their reproductive goals on their own terms.  We will continue our efforts to ensure that all women— regardless of who they are or where they live—have access to the information and services they need to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child.”

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 and have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.