AP/Google.com Examines Impact Of Economic Downturn On Birth Control, Abortion

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Abortion;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 26 Mar 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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The AP/Google.com on Tuesday examined how the economic downturn is affecting many people's "most intimate decisions about sex and family planning." According to the AP/Google.com, "doctors and clinics are reporting that many women are choosing abortions and men are having vasectomies because they cannot afford a child."

Although Planned Parenthood and other private or government agencies said that they do not have up-to-date national abortion figures, Stephanie Poggi of the National Network of Abortion Funds said that calls to the network's national helpline have almost quadrupled from one year ago. "A lot of women who never thought they'd need help are turning to us," she said, adding, "They're telling us, 'I've already put off paying my rent, my electric bill. I'm cutting back on my food.' They've run through all the options." Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation, said that the organization's helpline is receiving calls from women who are postponing abortions while trying to raise money to pay for the procedure. These delays can result in riskier abortions and even higher costs, according to the AP/Google.com.

In addition, Jennifer Vick of Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa said that there has been an increase in the number of women who need assistance paying for birth control because they or their partners have lost their jobs and health insurance. Some experts have said that the situation could affect the overall U.S. birth rate, possibly reversing upward trends. Some family planning advocates also say that a potential upside to the current economic downturn could be that federal and state lawmakers increase public funding for contraception (Crary/Welte, AP/Google.com, 3/24).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

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