Young People Deserve Reliable Birth Control Information and Access

Power to Decide, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive wellbeing for all, has launched a new survey initiative called the Youth Reproductive Health Access Survey. It aims to collect annual data on young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services, with emphasis on contraception and abortion. Riley Steiner, Senior Director, Research and Evaluation at Power to Decide, sits down to talk to us about the survey’s findings—including information gaps, preferences, and service provision related to young people’s access to basic contraceptive care.

The survey’s data is collected online from approximately 1,000 young people ages 15-29, assigned female at birth. Power to Decide collected striking knowledge gaps and notable findings, including that a quarter of respondents indicated that they didn't have enough information to decide whether using birth control was the right thing for them and that a third of respondents indicated that they didn't have enough information to decide which birth control methods are right for them. Because there’s a noted lack of information and access, Power to Decide’s findings show that providers and advocates must think creatively to get young people the care they need. 

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