Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Georgia: Transparency, Services, and Public Health Impacts
Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are religious non-profit organizations that primarily aim to deter people from having abortions. CPCs also oppose contraception and comprehensive sex education, often targeting people seeking reproductive healthcare. Although many centers offer limited health services, they are not medical clinics, frequently provide inaccurate health information, and do not adhere to medical or ethical practice standards.
The Landscape of CPCs in Georgia
Georgia has the 10th highest number of CPCs of all states in the U.S. As of December 31, 2023, data reveals a significant presence of these organizations across the state. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of CPCs in Georgia and the services they offer:
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Number Of CPCs | 95 |
| Offer Limited Medical Services | 81.1% |
| Offer Ultrasounds | 81.1% |
| Advertise STI Testing | 36.8% |
| Advertise STI Treatment | 27.4% |
| Advertise HIV Testing | 11.6% |
| Counties with CPCs | 45.3% |
| Ratio of CPCs to “brick-and-mortar” abortion facilities | 5.9 |
Georgia State Policies and Support
State positions regarding these centers vary. Current Support for CPCs in Georgia includes:
- CPC Grant Program
- "Choose Life" License Plate Sales Support CPCs
- Tax Breaks For CPC Donations
- Attorney General Signed Open Letter Supporting CPC Services
Conversely, efforts toward Protecting Residents From CPC Harms have included legislation to regulate CPCs and the issuance of a CPC Consumer Alert.
The Crisis Pregnancy Center Map and Transparency
A research team at the University of Georgia (UGA) has launched a web-based directory to improve crisis pregnancy center transparency. The directory, Crisis Pregnancy Center Map, identifies the location of every crisis pregnancy center in the U.S. on an interactive map. Dr. Andrea Swartzendruber, who studies sexual and reproductive health at UGA’s College of Public Health, noted that "these centers have been widely criticized for not being transparent about their mission."
Understanding what is and is not a CPC can be difficult. They often advertise themselves in ways that make them look like they could be a comprehensive reproductive health clinic, but CPCs offer only limited medical services, if any, and do not adhere to prevailing U.S. medical guidelines. Public health and medical organizations warn that CPCs pose risk to individual, family, and public health.
Finding Credible Resources
For those seeking reliable, credible healthcare and information by location, several resources are available:
- AbortionFinder.org: Features the most comprehensive directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers and assistance resources in the United States.
- Bedsider.org: An online birth control support network.
- NNAF: A network of nearly 100 abortion funds that support people seeking abortion access.
- Plan C: Provides up-to-date information on how people in the U.S. are accessing at-home abortion pill options online.
- The Title X Family Planning Clinic Locator: Provides information about clinics that offer a broad range of family planning and preventive health services.
Knowing how many centers are operating in the U.S. and where they pop up is important to better understand the landscape of and access reproductive health services.