Studies in Family Planning

Family planning typically refers to restricting population growth, such as by using contraceptives. Family planning studies can focus on different factors to evaluate population growth. Performance measures might evaluate infant mortality rates or the percentage of low birth weight live births. Research might assess low cost benefits, such as assisting couples in planning their fertility to reduce abortions or the effect of low-cost contraceptive instead of abortions.

Basics

• Family planning studies have supported prenatal care. Studies have demonstrated benefits of pregnant women making healthy choices before, during and after their pregnancy. For example, women should avoid drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or taking drugs, and they should increase intake of fruits and vegetables to maximize their child's health. By consuming alcohol, pregnant women risk causing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), for which babies might suffer mental, behavioral or physical problems.

University of Chicago

• Family planning research also addresses risks of sexual behavior, such as sexually transmitted diseases. For instance, the University of Chicago's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology contains a Section of Family Planning and Contraception Research (chicagofamilyplanning.org). The Section runs multiple studies, such as the Postpartum Adolescent Birth Control Study, which analyzes teen moms and whether they get pregnant again. Many nonprofit organizations and government-funded programs promote contraceptive use or abstinence unless in a mutually monogamous relationship.

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

• The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (mchb.hrsa.gov/research) conducts research and offers grants to support a society where families want their children. The bureau distributes the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant to fund state programs that immunize children and screen newborns. The Bureau's Discretionary Grants extend emergency care services, especially to families with special needs. One study funded by a Bureau grant involves understanding genetic disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia, to improve the health of pregnant women and their children.

University of Pittsburgh

• The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Family Planning Research (institute.mwrif.org/fpr) is primarily funded by the Magee-Womens Foundation. The center conducts various studies and usually recruits participants to evaluate the effect of contraceptive drugs. For example, one study that began in 2009 involves understanding the effect of Bayer-Patch's birth control patch on women between 18 and 45 years old. The study will last one year and evaluate the patch, which does not have to be taken daily and contains two hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Office of Population Affairs

• Various federally funded programs exist that concentrate on family planning studies and services. The Population Research and Family Planning Act of 1970 established the Office of Population Affairs, which aims to provide family planning services. For instance, the Office of Family Planning, which is part of the Office of Population Affairs, provides women with reproductive health care options. The Office of Population Affairs has distributed research grants to Child Trends, the University of Missouri, University of Utah, Georgetown University and Marquette University. From 2008 to 2011, the grants will support natural family planning research, such as the analysis of socio-cultural factors that affect contraceptive use among young African American and Hispanic women.