New estimates from Guttmacher Institute and WHO indicate major inequities in access to sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptive and abortion care
The Guttmacher Institute, the World Health Organization and the UN’s Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) today released the first-ever model-based estimates of unintended pregnancy and abortion rates for 150 countries, highlighting major disparities in access to sexual and reproductive health care.
The study, published in BMJ Global Health, analyzes rates from 2015 to 2019, with the aim of providing deeper insights into access to sexual and reproductive health services in countries of all income levels across the globe.
“To build sexual and reproductive health policies that are truly inclusive and equitable, we need to understand what is happening at a country level,” said Dr. Herminia Palacio, President and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute. “Having current and reliable data at hand will not only help identify and find solutions to disparities, but also make a case for smarter investments that deliver impact.”
Alongside the estimates, Guttmacher has published more detailed country profiles to allow decision makers and health advocates to better understand and act on sexual and reproductive health needs in their countries, particularly for family planning, including contraception and comprehensive abortion care.
