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Review
. 2010 Mar;202(3):214-20.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.08.022.

Disparities in family planning

Christine Dehlendorf  1 , Maria Isabel Rodriguez, Kira Levy, Sonya Borrero, Jody Steinauer
Affiliations
Review

Disparities in family planning

Christine Dehlendorf et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Prominent racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy, abortion, and unintended births exist in the United States. These disparities can contribute to the cycle of disadvantage experienced by specific demographic groups when women are unable to control their fertility as desired. In this review we consider 3 factors that contribute to disparities in family planning outcomes: patient preferences and behaviors, health care system factors, and provider-related factors. Through addressing barriers to access to family planning services, including abortion and contraception, and working to ensure that all women receive patient-centered reproductive health care, health care providers and policy makers can substantially improve the ability of women from all racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to make informed decisions about their fertility.

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Comment in

  • Health disparities: definitions and measurements.
    Dehlendorf C, Bryant AS, Huddleston HG, Jacoby VL, Fujimoto VY. Dehlendorf C, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Mar;202(3):212-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.12.003. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010. PMID: 20207236 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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