The importance of family planning programs

Family planning programs (including contraceptives, sexuality education, and promotion of safe sex) play a major role in population health. Family planning is one of the most highly cost-effective interventions in medicine.^[12] Family planning saves lives and money by reducing unintended pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.^[12]

For example, the United States Agency for International Development lists as benefits of its international family planning program:^[13]

• "Protecting the health of women by reducing high-risk pregnancies"
• "Protecting the health of children by allowing sufficient time between pregnancies"
• "Fighting HIV/AIDS through providing information, counseling, and access to male and female condoms"
• "Reducing abortions"
• "Supporting women's rights and opportunities for education, employment, and full participation in society"
• "Protecting the environment by stabilizing population growth"