CARE's Programs
CARE targets the neediest groups and determines the best mix of health interventions to meet those needs. CARE works with individuals and communities to promote healthy behaviors. CARE also works with local organizations and governments to improve service delivery and develop supportive health policies.
CARE reproductive health projects encompass multiple technical interventions, including family planning, maternal and newborn health care and prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
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| CARE trains community health volunteers to educate their peers about how family planning leads to better health for mothers and children. All photos © CARE. |
Why Family Planning Matters
Contraceptives are as vital to saving lives as vaccines, antibiotics or obstetric care. There are literally millions of women with an unmet need for family planning. More than 120 million women would like to postpone or stop childbearing, but are not accessing contraceptive services. Furthermore, the numbers of women of reproductive age continue to grow. There are more than 1.15 billion adolescents, living mostly in developing countries -- the largest number in history. Demands for family planning information and services will only continue to grow.
Family planning is needed to save children's lives. The pattern of childbearing is closely related to child survival. In particular, short birth intervals significantly increase the likelihood of infant and child mortality. We could significantly reduce child mortality by simply reducing the number of births that occur less than 24 months apart; and even more lives could be saved by increasing the average interval to 36 months. A study by Shea Rutstein of Macro International showed that eliminating short birth intervals could save 1.4 million lives per year in India alone.
Family planning is needed to save women's lives. Approximately 585,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth each year. Many more experience serious and long lasting complications from pregnancy. Many of these deaths and serious illnesses occur to women experiencing an unintended and/or high pregnancy. As much as one-third of maternal mortality -- 175,000 deaths -- could be avoided by preventing unintended and high-risk pregnancies through the use of inexpensive contraceptives.
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