They tackle all the barriers to access, beginning with teaching clinicians how to talk to patients about reproductive goals and provide a bias-free education. They ensure healthcare staff are well-versed in the pros and cons of all methods of birth control, know how to insert LARC, and understand the importance of providing same-day contraceptive access. They also provide educational materials for patients in multiple languages and fund marketing campaigns so that women know where they can obtain low-cost or no-cost birth control.
FPE CAP focuses on increasing education, training, and capacity building for healthcare providers. They also eliminate cost and distance as barriers to access. FPE CAP found that when cost is no longer a factor, twice as many women choose an IUD or implant. Since 48% of women also choose another method (e.g. the pill, ring, or shot), it is critical for clinics to offer women all forms of contraceptives.
Expanding access to immediate postpartum initiation of effective contraception, including LARC, can empower women to choose the method that’s right for them and reduce short interval pregnancies.
Contraceptive access directly affects the economic situations of Black families. 73% of Black adults say that a woman’s ability to control when or if she has children is an important factor in their financial stability. Considering that 40% of Black women ages 18 to 44 can only spend $10 or less on birth control a month, it is clear that cost is a critical issue to address.
