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- Family Planning
- Promotes the well being of families by giving couples the opportunity to time pregnancies when they are best able to care for children.
- Promotes healthy babies by reducing infant deaths and other health related problems.
- Maintains women's health by detecting problems through routine screening and examination.
- Is a cost effective government investment in the future of Michigan's families.
Why do we need a publicly funded family planning program?
- To assist women at greatest risk for unintended pregnancy.
there are almost half a million women in Michigan who are at risk for an
unplanned and/or unhealthy pregnancy. Family Planning services are
especially important for low-income women who may lack insurance or other
means for obtaining such services.
Births from mistimed pregnancies, especially to low income and very young
women can contribute to a cycle of dependency on public programs.
Parents with too many children find it very difficult to improve their
family's status, escape from poverty, or provide their children with
necessary educational opportunities.
Adolescent pregnancies is of particular concern because of the much higher
rates of premarital births. This often leads to an increased likelihood
of poverty for these young families. Of those adolescents having a first
premarital pregnancy, 38% will have a second premarital pregnancy within 24 months.
- To Maintain women's health.
For many women, a government supported family planning clinic may be their only
contact with a health care provider. Early detection of health problems
such as cervical and breast cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, iron deficiency,
high blood pressure, and selected infections prevents costly treatment later, and
assures clients a healthier life.
- To Reduce government costs.
Every public dollar spent to provide contraceptive services saves an average of
$4.40 in funds otherwise spent to provide medical, social and welfare services
to eligible low income pregnant women, teens and their children.
For more information contact your local health department.
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