Family Planning Research University of Chicago

Our Mission

The Section of Family Planning and Contraceptive Research at the University of Chicago is grounded in the belief that every woman has a right to plan if, when and how to have a family regardless of race/ethnicity, socio-economic status or citizenship. We believe the future of reproductive health can only be secured through:

Education – To guarantee that health care professionals will have the competencies necessary to provide comprehensive reproductive health services.

Research – To augment current knowledge in the field in a manner that is inclusive of women and men of all cultures and economic backgrounds.

Policy – To ensure continued access to a wide range of reproductive health care services through sound social policies.

These tenets are embodied through the Section’s contraception research program, fellowship in family planning and contraception, reproductive health policy program, international health care program, and the Ryan Center. Within these components we focus on:

Disseminating innovative, original research that highlights the family planning needs of women and men with a particular focus on the role of culture in contraceptive use and compliance;
Working to place issues of health disparities in family planning onto the national research and policy agenda;
Securing the visibility of potential threats to and advancements of reproductive health issues in our political system;
Producing highly skilled clinician-researchers who are committed to advancing family planning knowledge through evidence-based medicine;
Partnering with international universities to promote reproductive health and well-being
Ensuring comprehensive training in contraception and abortion for residents through the Ryan Center; and
Providing accessible services to minority, low-income and medically complicated women