Access to Birth Control and Contraceptive Deserts

Fact Sheet

Access to Birth Control and Contraceptive Deserts

A map of the deserts in the US

Of the 66 million women of reproductive age living in the US, more than 19 million are in need of publicly funded contraception. Among that 19 million, 97% (more than 19 million) currently live in contraceptive deserts—that is, they lack reasonable access in their county to a health center that offers the full range of contraceptive methods.

April 2019
Contraception
Birth Control Access

Related Resources

A map of Mississippi showing the levels of contraceptive access by county.
Fact Sheet

Contraceptive Access in Mississippi

More than 208,000 women of low-income in Mississippi live in contraceptive deserts.
Stock graphic of a generic publication
Publication

When Your Birth Control Isn't Covered

Health Plan Non-Compliance with the Federal Contraceptive Coverage Requirement
A map of the state of Arkansas showing birth control access by county.
Fact Sheet

Contraceptive Access in Arkansas

An estimated 164,410 women living at or below 250% of the poverty level in Arkansas live in contraceptive deserts.
A map of the region of Appalachia and the state of contraceptive access by county.
Fact Sheet

Contraceptive Access in Appalachia

Across Appalachia 176,120 women in need live in counties without a single health center that provides the full range of methods.