CDC is committed to removing unnecessary barriers to contraception

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is committed to removing unnecessary medical barriers to contraceptive use by people with certain characteristics or medical conditions.

The CDC marks 10 years since the U.S. Medical Inclusion Criteria were issued for contraceptive use (MEC), with a separate article published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Women’s Health. Click here to read the article now.

The CDC has updated MEC recommendations over the past decade based on new evidence. It has worked with national partners to disseminate and implement the guidance and has conducted surveys of healthcare providers to assess changes in attitudes and practices regarding the safety and provision of contraception.

“While the recommendations include necessary evidence-based limitations, most methods of contraception can be used safely by most people, even those with medical conditions,” Kathryn Curtis, PhD, and coauthors from the CDC say.

Thus, by accessing the full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods through patient-centered counseling and shared decisions, they can improve the quality of care and enable people to find the best contraceptive to meet their needs. “

Kathryn Curtis, PhD & Research Co-authors, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

“The CDC remains committed to updating its recommendations and applying the most up-to-date data in areas that may not currently have a high-quality evidence base. The article is by Curtis et al. looks to future deliberations and efforts by the CDC to enable the dissemination and implementation of MEC recommendations, “he said. Journal of Women’s Health Managing Editor Susan G. Kornstein, MD, Executive Director of the University of Virginia Women’s Institute for Women’s Health, Richmond, VA.