States as Diverse as California and South Carolina Get Top Ranking for Efforts to Prevent Unintended Pregnancy
- A diverse group of states have shown creativity and committment in addressing unintended pregnancy. Top ranked states include:
- California (#1)
- Alaska (#2)
- South Carolina (#3)
- Alabama (#4)
- New York (#5)
- Yet some states still lag far behind, including Utah, Ohio, Indiana, North Dakota and Nebraska at the bottom of the list.
- The high-ranking states have taken concrete steps that others can follow, including:
- supporting accurate, comprehensive sex education in the schools;
- providing subsidized contraceptive services; and
- making birth control more affordable and convenient.
NEWS RELEASE
EXPERT STATEMENT
“Our nation has shown an incredible ability to marshal resources and focus public attention to tackle some of the most challenging public health problems, such as smoking and obesity,” says Sharon L. Camp, president and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute. “By following the example of states ranging from California to South Carolina and Alaska to Alabama, which have made huge strides in improving access to contraception, we can make similar progress toward reducing unintended pregnancy in all states. These top-ranking states provide a roadmap for what others can do to improve the health and lives of their residents.”
To set up an interview, contact Rebecca Wind at 212-248-1953 or rwind@guttmacher.org.


