Citation
Srinivas, Megan; Wong, Ngai Sze; Wallace, Robin; Emch, Michael E.; Tang, Weiming; Yang, Eileen J.; & Tucker, Joseph D. (2022). Sexually Transmitted Infection Rates and Closure of Family Planning Clinics Because of Abortion Restrictions in Iowa. JAMA Network Open, 5(10), e2239063. PMCID: PMC9568806Abstract
Dismantling abortion services may have unintended consequences for essential primary care services, especially screening for and treating sexual transmitted infections (STIs). One way to restrict abortion services in the US has been through closing publicly funded family planning health centers (FPHCs), which play a key role in providing abortions and STI services in the US. Among people in the US who use FPHCs, a substantial number use these centers as their only source of health care. In the US, 18 states have abortion-related defunding policies restricting Medicaid reimbursements or Title X funds. Many FPHCs have closed because they provided abortions. In May 2017, Iowa state legislation restricted funding to FPHCs that provided abortion and STI services in 4 counties (Des Moines, Lee, Scott, and Woodbury). Previous studies have demonstrated the association of closing US FPHCs with unintended pregnancies, but to our knowledge, none have focused on STIs. This study aims to analyze the change of STI rates before and after FPHC closures.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.39063Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2022Journal Title
JAMA Network OpenAuthor(s)
Srinivas, MeganWong, Ngai Sze
Wallace, Robin
Emch, Michael E.
Tang, Weiming
Yang, Eileen J.
Tucker, Joseph D.