There are many reasons to consider the benefits of birth control and family planning services. There is no reason to become a statistic when you can use a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy. Contraceptive usage is increasing worldwide, as the number of women desiring to use contraceptives has risen from 900 million in 2000 to nearly 1.1 billion by 2020. The prevalence rate for contraceptive use has also increased, increasing from 46.7 to 49.0 percent. By 2030, 70 million women will use contraceptives. Other methods to prevent pregnancy include condom use, avoiding unprotected vaginal sex, and abstinence during estimated fertile days. Now let’s take a look at some of the benefits.
Costs
Health care providers in low-income communities provide an important service for preventing pregnancy and STIs. Medicaid, which funds family planning services for low-income people, covers the costs of family planning services for 70 million Americans. Medicaid is the largest single source of public funding for family planning services. In addition, Title X, a federal program that funds family planning care, provides funding to approximately 4,000 clinics nationwide.
While most health insurance plans cover the cost of condoms and pills, many employers still charge co-pays. For example, male condoms cost about $1, and female condoms cost about $2, each used once. Pills and IUDs can be costly, require multiple doctor visits, and cost $100-$300 per year. For a long-term method, a 12-year IUD can cost $1,300, including doctor visits.
Access
In the last four years, access to birth control and family planning services has improved for more women in low-income families. However, these services are still far from universal, with fewer women reporting improved access. Previously, women without health insurance might have already had access to free or low-cost birth control at public clinics. Nevertheless, access to these services is crucial for women. The following are some reasons why access to family planning services has improved.
The costs associated with not providing contraception to undocumented immigrants and citizens vary considerably. For instance, the review of immigration documents increases administrative costs and reduces the efficiency of care delivery. Further, emergency care for undocumented clients costs hospitals additional money. Additionally, limiting access to care undermines efforts to control the spread of disease and compromises the ethical obligations of clinicians. Finally, by limiting access, women may be depriving themselves of vital care, leading to increased unintended pregnancy.
Costs by age group
Although the costs of birth control and family planning services vary widely, they are universal. Unfortunately, more than half of young adult women did not use their birth control methods as prescribed. And many women have difficulty paying for these services when they are most needed. This report explores the costs of various contraception methods by age group. Here are some of the most common ones. Read on to learn more. But before you make any decisions about contraception, consider these costs.
Federally-funded family planning programs began in 1964 and were strengthened with Title X of the Public Health Service Act in 1970. During the first seven years after its implementation, these programs significantly reduced the number of childbearing among women. In addition, children born in these counties and years had lower rates of poverty than children who did not. Bailey, Malkova, and Norling (2014) report that the impact of federal family planning programs on poverty outcomes for children under 18 is particularly impressive.
Saving millions of lives
Last year, a report revealed that expanding access to family planning services through Medicaid would have the greatest return on investment. In 2010, $235 million would have been saved in taxpayer costs by providing contraceptive services for low-income women. The savings would also significantly impact the number of unintended pregnancies. In addition, these evidence-based interventions can prevent pregnancy and improve children’s lives.
Investing in publicly supported family planning services helps low-income women have healthier pregnancies, saves taxpayer dollars, and empowers low-income women. According to a Guttmacher Institute report, publicly-funded family planning services prevented 2.2 million unintended pregnancies in 2010 and saved $13.6 billion. More than half of these savings came from publicly funded services, such as the Title X national family planning program and Medicaid physician offices.
Allowing women to better plan their lives
Support for family planning programs is essential for several reasons. First, it can help alleviate human misery and improve the lives of poor people. Developing countries in three global conferences have widely endorsed the development of family planning programs since 1974. Many women have indicated their desire to limit the number of children. Third, the growth of family planning programs has contributed to improved maternal and child health and well-being.
The report provides recommendations for family planning services, including how to assess client needs. It describes how to provide services that help women achieve their desired spacing and have healthy births. It also recommends a full range of contraceptive methods for persons seeking to prevent pregnancy. It also emphasizes the needs of adolescent clients and the use of the family planning visit to provide selected preventive health services.
Reducing unwanted pregnancies
There are many reasons women use contraception, including the potential for side effects, health concerns, and financial hardship. A recent study by the World Health Organization found that half of all unintended pregnancies result from a woman not using the right contraception. It also found that free birth control can cut abortion rates by 62 to 78 percent. However, the issue is more complicated than this.
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 40 percent of unintended pregnancies in developing countries end in abortion, and half result in a baby. In developed countries, the percentage of unintended pregnancies is slightly higher, but unintended births still make up a third of all deliveries. These statistics are especially alarming when because the majority of unintended births are among the poorest and most vulnerable women. However, the good news is that rates of unintended pregnancy have been decreasing for decades.