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Unintended Pregnancy: New Estimates for the United States. Lawrence B. Finer, Ph.D. Mia R.S. Zolna, M.P.H. RH 2010 • September 25, 2010. Why study unintended pregnancy?. Fundamental measure of a population’s reproductive health Helps us to know who is in need of improved services
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Unintended Pregnancy: New Estimates for the United States Lawrence B. Finer, Ph.D.Mia R.S. Zolna, M.P.H. RH 2010 • September 25, 2010
Why study unintended pregnancy? • Fundamental measure of a population’s reproductive health • Helps us to know who is in need of improved services • No stats on the U.S. unintended pregnancy rate since 2001 (51 per 1,000 women 15–44) • New data on births, abortions, intendedness are available for 2006 (based on ’04–’08)
Definitions • “Intended”: a pregnancy that was desired at the time (or sooner than) it occurred • “Unintended”: The sum of… • “Mistimed”: a pregnancy that was wanted at some point, but occurred sooner than desired • “Unwanted”: a pregnancy that was not desired when it occurred or ever
Results are preliminary • Please do not cite or quote
Summary • Half of pregnancies still unintended • Unintended and intended preg rates increased • Teen U.P. rate declining, but most teen pregnancies are unintended • Large (and sometimes growing) disparities by income, relationship, education, race • Decrease in percentage of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion • More regular updates coming (2008 ests next year)
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health