Ample information can help unlock youth birth control access
We must now, more than ever, continue to defend and expand access to birth-control in the United States. Birth control in the United States is affected by many barriers, including a lack of clinics, parental consent, and a lack of trusted providers. As Power to Decide celebrates its 12th Thank You, Birth Control Campaign, we look at the findings of our Youth Reproductive Health Access Survey. (YouR HeAlth). This survey shows that there are large gaps in knowledge about birth control among young people. Power to Decide’s YouR Health Survey is designed to help understand the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of young people with regards to sexual and reproductive health. This summer, Ipsos KnowledgePanel conducted the 2024 YouR HeAlth Survey. The survey was completed by approximately 1,200 women aged 15-29 years who were born female. Even more 15-17-year-olds expressed these gaps in information. For example:
Nearly 1 in 5 incorrectly believe that people should “take a break” from birth control pills every couple of years for health reasons.
About 1 in 4 incorrectly think that menstrual cycle tracking apps are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
About 30 percent wrongly believe that teenagers cannot access over-the-counter birth control pills.
For example:
- Nearly 1 in 5 incorrectly think that people should “take a break” from birth control pills every couple of years for health reasons.
- About 1 in 4 incorrectly think that menstrual cycle tracking apps are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
- About 30 percent incorrectly think that teenagers cannot access over-the-counter birth control pills.
Findings from this assessment align with self-perceptions of knowledge gaps. Participants answered on average less than half the statements correctly. Many participants chose “I don’t” for each statement. When asked about their concerns regarding birth control, approximately one third of respondents stated that they were concerned birth control would affect their ability later in life to have a child. This is not true; other than sterilization no birth control method affects a woman’s ability to get pregnant after she stops using it. Many reasons could be given for the lack of progress, including inadequate sex education in schools and growing misinformation on the internet. However, one reason that is not widely discussed is our shift in public health. The shift from focusing solely on individual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (and stigmatizing them to various degrees) is a long overdue and welcome one. Now, the emphasis is rightly on systems and structures, such as clinical care and the policy environment.
As a public health behavioral scientist trained to examine individual behavior within this larger context, I couldn’t agree with this shift more. This shift is crucial for recognizing and addressing racism, sexism and classism as well as other oppressive systems that have led to disparities in the access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The importance of improving systems to provide birth control in a person-centered manner that meets individuals’ values, needs, and preferences cannot be understated.
However, in widening our lens beyond the individual, we cannot forget about individuals’ knowledge and attitudes. We must consider how systems and structures affect what young people think and know about birth control. We must shape larger systems so that young people receive accurate, reliable, and trustworthy information to help them navigate the complex healthcare system. This will empower them to make informed decisions to support their reproductive and sexual health. This information is especially essential for young people who are learning to seek out and obtain health care independently.
So, let’s give young people the information they deserve, while prioritizing people-centered principles. This means treating people with respect, regardless of their knowledge level. It also means acknowledging and addressing birth control myths rather than dismissing or ignoring them.
