In 2010, Delaware had the highest rate of unintended pregnancies in the nation
57% of all pregnancies in Delaware were unintended in 2010, according to the Guttmacher Institute. In 2014, Upstream USA partnered with then-Governor Jack Markell to lead a state-wide intervention with the Division of Public Health aimed at reducing unplanned pregnancy through system-wide improvements in contraceptive care and access across the entire state.
Accomplishments
- Christiana Care, Delaware’s largest healthcare system with two hospitals that serve over 29,520 women of reproductive age, has integrated a Pregnancy Intention Screening Question and family planning services into 17 of their outpatient primary care practices to ensure that patients have access to the full range of contraceptive methods as a routine part of primary care.
- Nemours Children’s Health System is an internationally recognized children’s health system, delivering pediatric primary, specialty and urgent care. Nemours implemented a contraceptive screening model for providers serving adolescent patients.
- Five of the six birthing hospitals ensure that all patients are able to receive the contraceptive method of their choice immediately after giving birth.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers, public health centers and private practices ensure patients have access to a full range of contraceptive options, regardless of their insurance status.
- Delaware social service organizations provide patient-centered contraceptive counseling for their clients experiencing challenges including substance use disorder, mental health issues, homelessness and domestic violence.
Though Upstream’s training has ended, Delaware CAN lives on to continue to improve public health by empowering women to become pregnant only if and when they want to.