In 1994, almost 6.6 million women received contraceptive services from more than 7,000 subsidized family planning clinics; these providers were located in 85% of U.S. counties. Health department clinics and Planned Parenthood sites served the largest proportions of these women (32% and 30%, respectively), followed by hospital outpatient sites (16%), independent clinics (13%) and community or migrant health centers (9%). The mix of agency types varied considerably by region and state, and the average annual number of contraceptive clients served per clinic also varied from fewer than 500 at community and migrant health centers to more than 2,000 at Planned Parenthood clinics. Nearly two-thirds of all women served (4.2 million) obtained care at one of the 4,200 clinics receiving funds from the federal Title X family planning program. Health department sites were the most likely to receive Title X funding (78%), followed by independent clinics and Planned Parenthood sites (66% each), hospital clinics (28%) and community and migrant health centers (18%). Overall, clinics receiving Title X funds serve an average of 25% more contraceptive clients than do clinics not receiving such funds.
PIP: This study is based on data collected from agencies and clinics that provided free or reduced fee contraceptive services to the general public. These 1994 data differ in their use of a new definition of clinics and their inclusion of additional clinics. The final sample included 3119 family planning agencies and 7122 clinics. Client numbers were estimated for the 839 clinics (344 hospitals and 342 migrant or community health centers that were not funded by Title X) that did not provide data. The network of subsidized family planning agencies continues to be dominated by health departments. In 1994, there were over 1400 health departments providing subsidized services to 45% of clients. Planned Parenthood affiliates accounted for only 5% of all agencies. 9 out of 10 health departments received some Title X funds. Almost 8 out of 10 Planned Parenthood affiliates and 6 out of 10 independent agencies received some Title X money. Hospitals and community or migrant centers were the least likely to receive Title X funds. An estimated 6.6 million women received contraceptive services through subsidized family planning providers. Health departments and Planned Parenthood clinics were the largest providers of services (32% and 30% of all clients). In 1994, the average number of women served per agency was 2000 women. The average number served per clinic was 923 clients. Almost 30% of clients were aged under 20 years. Almost 40% (almost 2 million) of sexually active teenagers were served by family planning clinics. Title X funded clinics received the most clients. Health departments were primary providers in southeastern states. Most hospital clinic use was in eastern states. Planned Parenthood clinics were more popular in the midwest. A higher number of adolescent clients were in the southeast, midwest, and central regions. Counties with under 1000 women were the least likely to have a subsidized family planning provider. About 30% of all counties did not have such services.