Association of access to publicly funded family planning services with adolescent birthrates in California counties

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the association of adolescent birthrates (ABRs) with access to and receipt of publicly funded family planning services in California counties provided through 2 state programs: Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, and the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) program.

Methods: Our key data sources included the California Health Interview Survey and California Women's Health Survey, Medi-Cal and Family PACT claims data, and the Birth Statistical Master File. We constructed a linear regression analysis measuring the relationship of access to and receipt of family planning services with ABRs when controlling for counties' select covariates.

Results: The regression analysis indicated that a higher access rate to Family PACT in a county was associated with a lower ABR (B = -0.19; P < .01) when controlling for unemployment rate, percentage of foreign-born adolescents, and percentage of adult low-income births.

Conclusions: Efforts to reduce ABRs, specifically in counties that had persistently high rates are critical to achieving a healthy future for the state and the nation. Family PACT played a crucial role in helping adolescents avoid unintended and early childbearing.