Family Planning Services in the United States, 1978-1979

Abstract

Presents the findings of the most recent study of the organized family planning network conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute. Family planning clinics served 4.5 million women at 5195 locations in 1979, government health departments serving the largest number (about 2/5). More than 1/2 of new patients had no prior experience with contraceptives; 2/3 chose the pill or IUD at last clinic visit. Improved contraceptive practice was most notable among teenage patients: 3/4 had used no method prior to clinic enrollment, and the same proportion chose either pill or IUD. The proportion of clinic patients 19 or younger increased to 1/3 in 1979. Estimated federal expenditures in 1979 for clinic services were 233 million dollars, about 72% of the total. The major share of federal monies came from Title X funds, which are now in danger of being lost through the current administration's proposals to provide funding for health and social services primarily through block grants to the states.