OKPOLICY.ORG
The decision of when and whether to have children is one of the most consequential choices a family can make. When better able to plan pregnancies and births, women attain more education, earn higher incomes, and have stronger marriages.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma’s unplanned and teen pregnancy rate is among the highest in the country – and that presents a number of challenging outcomes, including high costs, for individuals, families, and communities.
A new issue brief from Oklahoma Policy Institute assesses a promising pilot project that is showing success in preventing teen pregnancy. Tulsa’s Take Control Initiative has shown that long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are a smart option for Oklahoma women and teens. The Take Control Initiative has proven effective in reducing Tulsa County’s teen birth rate, and initiatives across the country show similar outcomes. As one of the most effective forms of birth control, greater LARC use has been a key element in reducing unintended pregnancies across the US.
LARC’s effectiveness strongly demonstrates why Oklahoma and the U.S. should continue policies requiring insurers to provide access to this treatment at no cost to patients. Despite recent, relative increases, LARC use is still relatively low compared to other, less-effective forms of birth control, and Oklahoma’s teen pregnancy rate is one of the highest in the country. This points to the need for continued efforts to protect and expand access to LARC throughout Oklahoma. Oklahoma families deserve nothing less.
