Free birth control cuts teen pregnancies, abortions
According to a study from Washington University School of Medicine, Free birth control cuts teen pregnancies, abortions. When Washington University School of Medicine researchers removed barriers to contraception for teens – such as cost and the lack of education about the various methods – most opted for long-acting birth control, like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants.
The Contraceptive CHOICE Project
The research appears in The New England Journal of Medicine and involved teens enrolled in the Contraceptive CHOICE project. When barriers to contraception such as cost and lack of education were removed, most teens in a Washington University study opted for long-acting birth control.
Impact on Pregnancy and Abortion Rates
Their study shows that the teens had significantly lower pregnancy and abortion rates compared with those for sexually active U.S. teens. Key findings from the research include:
- Long-acting birth control: Most opted for long-acting birth control, like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants.
- Barrier removal: Researchers removed barriers to contraception for teens – such as cost and the lack of education about the various methods.
- Comparative results: Their study shows that the teens had significantly lower pregnancy and abortion rates compared with those for sexually active U.S. teens.
Study Methodology
The research appears in The New England Journal of Medicine and highlights how removing financial and educational obstacles impacts healthcare choices. When barriers to contraception such as cost and lack of education were removed, most teens in a Washington University study opted for long-acting birth control.