A landscape of available data on contraceptive care in the United States

With this data landscape, we aim to (1) feature data sources that measure the dynamics of contraceptive care provision and (2) identify gaps in data availability.

Through literature review and expert consultations, we identified data sources that describe the provision of contraceptive care in the United States. We highlight key features of each dataset, including the type of data collected, information on the sample and sampling approach, how the data are accessed, and an inventory of key indicators included about contraceptive care.

We identified 29 relevant data sources - 16 provide individual-level data only, six provide systems-level data only, and seven provide both individual and systems-level data. Important gaps include a need for more robust collection and dissemination of systems-level data, stronger linkages between systems- and individual-level data, and more targeted data collection efforts on key subpopulations.

The availability of ongoing high-quality data on key sexual and reproductive health metrics is crucial for holding policymakers and program planners accountable to meeting the needs of their most marginalized constituents or beneficiaries. This landscape may serve as a resource for researchers, program planners, and policymakers seeking to use data in their work.

This landscape identifies key gaps in available data on contraceptive services in the U.S., including limited systems-level data and insufficient data on key subpopulations. Given the uncertainty of public resources for many of these datasets, additional funding resources will be needed to sustain and improve these data efforts going forward.