Faculty mentor/PI email address
venkatar@rowan.edu
Demographic Disparities in Contraceptive Use: Insights from Female NSFG Respondents, 2015–2023
Keywords
Women's Health, Contraception, Social Determinants of Health, Reproductive Justice, Person-centered care
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Disparities in contraceptive use persist in the United States despite expanded access to family planning services. Historical policies and ongoing social determinants of health (SDOH) are significant drivers of the continued inequality in reproductive healthcare access and utilization. This study examines demographic trends in contraceptive use using data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) between 2015 and 2023.
Data were obtained from the NSFG and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) datasets. A cross-comparison was conducted, focusing on variables such as age, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.
The consensus was that contraceptive use increased to approximately 65% in 2017 but declined to 54.3% by 2023. A highlighted topic for future research was that younger respondents were less likely to report contraceptive use compared with older individuals. Racial and ethnic differences were observed, with non-Hispanic White respondents reporting higher rates of contraceptive use compared with Hispanic and Black respondents. An important takeaway was that no clear association was identified between education level and contraceptive use.
These findings highlight that broader systemic factors, including healthcare access and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, may contribute to recent declines. A person-centered approach must be taken into account when implementing change, both at the physician and community level.
Disciplines
Community Health | Medicine and Health Sciences | Population Health | Women's Health
Demographic Disparities in Contraceptive Use: Insights from Female NSFG Respondents, 2015–2023
Disparities in contraceptive use persist in the United States despite expanded access to family planning services. Historical policies and ongoing social determinants of health (SDOH) are significant drivers of the continued inequality in reproductive healthcare access and utilization. This study examines demographic trends in contraceptive use using data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) between 2015 and 2023.
Data were obtained from the NSFG and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) datasets. A cross-comparison was conducted, focusing on variables such as age, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.
The consensus was that contraceptive use increased to approximately 65% in 2017 but declined to 54.3% by 2023. A highlighted topic for future research was that younger respondents were less likely to report contraceptive use compared with older individuals. Racial and ethnic differences were observed, with non-Hispanic White respondents reporting higher rates of contraceptive use compared with Hispanic and Black respondents. An important takeaway was that no clear association was identified between education level and contraceptive use.
These findings highlight that broader systemic factors, including healthcare access and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, may contribute to recent declines. A person-centered approach must be taken into account when implementing change, both at the physician and community level.