Family Planning Policies and Activities of State Health and Welfare Departments

Abstract

DURING the summer of 1967, the American Public IIealth Association and the American Public Welfare Association sponsored surveys of family planning policies and activities of State and Territorial health and welfare departments. Similar surveys of the activities of State and local health departments have been made annually since 1963 (1), although annual data have been collected from State welfare departments since 1966 (2). Family planning consists of more than medical care. In this paper, however, we will concentrate on the medical care aspects and, particularly, on contraceptive services provided under medical auspices. State and local health and welfare agency levels of activity during the year ending June 1967 are described, some of the changes that have occurred during the period under study are pointed out, and some program activities that are related to the variation in clinical services provided through State health and welfare agencies are examined.