On Thanks, Birth Control Day, a National Poll Confirms That Birth Control Remains Widely Supported as a Basic Part of Women's Health Care

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) adults in the United States?including 66% of Republicans and 93% of Democrats?consider birth control a basic part of women's health care, according to a new telephone survey of more than 1,000 adults 18 and older released today by Power to Decide. The survey also showed that more open discussion regarding the full range of methods and health benefits would increase use of birth control in the U.S.

"On Thanks, Birth Control Day, we give thanks for the many opportunities birth control has and continues to make possible in women's lives," said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide. "Our polling reconfirms what we already know that the majority of people in the United States support broad-based access and public funding for birth control."

The survey results are being released to coincide with the 6th annual Thanks, Birth Control Day, which takes place today, Tuesday, November 13. Thanks, Birth Control Day celebrates the many benefits that birth control provides women, families and society. Despite wide-spread support for public funding for birth control (75% of respondents), birth control remains elusive for more than 19 million women in the United States who live in contraceptive deserts. These are counties where there is a lack of reasonable access to a clinic that provides the full range of contraceptive options.

The survey results showed that:

• 81% of those surveyed support policies that make it easier for people 18 and older to get the full range of birth control methods.
• 75% of respondents support efforts to protect federal, state and local funding for birth control for women 18 years and older.
• 76% of all respondents say that if aware that not everyone had access to the full range of contraceptive methods, they would advocate for full access of birth control.
• 56% of respondents agree that if people had easier access to a wide range of birth control methods, the number of people taking birth control would increase.

"Birth control is basic health care and more than 19 million women don't have equitable access. We need to continue to advocate so that all women can get the care they deserve." said Ginny Ehrlich, CEO, Power to Decide.

For those interested in sharing why they are thankful for birth control or advocating for greater access, Thanks, Birth Control Day is a perfect platform.

Get started with these 6 quick and easy steps:

1. On November 13, take a selfie and say Thanks, Birth Control, and tag it on social with #ThxBirthControl.

2. Share your love for birth control through a graphic. Bedsider's digital postcards are perfect for spreading BC love on social!

3. Feeling artsy? Create your own Thanks, Birth Control sign stating why you are thankful for birth control, snap a pic and post it on social with #ThxBirthControl.

4. Has birth control allowed you to achieve something major in life? Tell Bedsider your story! Submit your story (written or video) on their site to shout from the rooftops why birth control matters.

5. Lend a helping hand. Make a donation to Power to Decide and help women in contraceptive deserts get the birth control they deserve!

6. Last, but not least...show your love for birth control not just today, but every day of the year! Visit Bedsider.org and PowertoDecide.org for additional ideas and shareable content.

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people?no matter who they are, where they live, or what their economic status might be?have the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Please visit us at http://www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Survey: Data presented here are drawn from a national telephone survey conducted for Power to Decide by SSRS, an independent research company. Telephone interviews were conducted from August 21 to August 26, 2018 among a nationally representative sample of 1,016 U.S. respondents age 18 and older. The margin of error for total respondents is +/- 3.69% at the 95% confidence level.

SOURCE Power to Decide