United States and Denmark: different approaches to health care and family planning

Abstract

The findings of this study suggest that, compared to the United States, Danish health care policies and family planning services delivery systems are, in the aggregate, more conducive to the promotion of effective contraceptive practice, more instrumental in conveying information to high-risk groups, and more successful in reducing the incidence of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions. One of the major reasons for this difference may stem from the positive and nonambivalent climate of public opinion about sexuality in Denmark and the manner in which health care and family planning services are delivered to all segments of the population regardless of age, income, or location of residence. Research in reproductive behavior is greatly facilitated by the existence of automated population registers.

PIP: Compared to the US, Danish family planning services delivery and health care systems promote effective contraceptive practice better, get more information to high-risk groups and succeed better in reducing induced abortions and unintended pregnancies. The central thrust of Danish policy on reproduction and family planning is on preventing pregnancies that are unwanted and providing contraceptive services that are accessible to everyone. Costs of abortion and family planning services are covered through national health insurance. Denmark's culture is comparable to the US. Denmark has an automated population register system. The Danes feel that abortion should be allowed free. In the US, health care delivery is based on private practice. Women in poor rural areas are often "underserved." Denmark has national health insurance (NHI) which provides for all, no matter what their income is. Family planning, counseling, and pre and postpregnancy services are given free. The Danes accept sexuality as a normal part of life. Family planning clinics in the US usually do not offer a full range of reproductive health services. Abortion is available on request in the 1st trimester of pregnancy in Denmark. A Panel on Adolescent Pregnancy and Childbearing of the COmmittee on Child Development Research and Public Policy, from the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences studies adolescent sexual behavior for 2 years. They decided that prevention of adolescent pregnancy should have high priority. Denmark's conception rates are less than 1/2 of those in the US. In the US, the decision of whether or how to teach sex education is left to the school districts. In Denmark, sex education begins no later than 3rd grade, at age 9.