

Good reproductive health policy starts with credible research
Good reproductive health policy starts with credible research
The Guttmacher Institute conducts global and country-level research to estimate adolescent pregnancy rates; document adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health information and services; and promote fact-based, comprehensive sex education and youth-friendly, confidential services. This research sheds light on young people’s needs for sexual and reproductive health information and services, provides policymakers with evidence to inform effective programs and offers policy recommendations to address unmet needs.
Modern contraceptive services enable women and families to have the number of children they want, when they want them. The need for such services is particularly acute among adolescents, who face daunting social and practical barriers to obtaining them. Better care and education can help adolescents prevent unintended pregnancy, and, in turn, the unsafe abortions that often follow if they live where abortion is highly restricted or stigmatized.