Family planning affects the well-being of women, men, children, families, and society at large. Significant need exists for publicly supported family planning, with 17.4 million women estimated to need such services in 2004.¹

Family planning contributes significantly to achieving Healthy People 2010's two overarching goals of increasing quality and years of healthy life and eliminating health disparities.² This contribution is reflected in each of the 13 objectives in the focus area. Improved child health and development is associated with healthy planned pregnancies.³ Conversely, a woman experiencing an unintended pregnancy is at greater risk for delayed prenatal care, depression, and other personal and relationship problems.³ Closely spaced births carry additional health risks for the mother and child.³ Preparation for a healthy pregnancy can help both parents minimize economic hardship, achieve educational and career goals, and stabilize their relationship.³ Some methods of contraception, such as condoms, have the added benefit of lessening the likelihood of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The data available in this midcourse review show that substantial progress was made in several areas. Teen pregnancy rates declined substantially, indicating increases in abstinence and significantly greater condom use among teens aged 15 to 17 years. However, increased rates for childbearing during later reproductive years may have been responsible for a lack of progress on the objectives relating to closely spaced births and infertility.^4,5

Progress toward eliminating health disparities by income was made for birth spacing. Birth spacing refers to the time interval from one child's birth date until the next child's birth date. However, health disparities by race and ethnicity increased significantly for adolescent pregnancy.