What Is Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care, education, and advocacy to millions of people worldwide. Founded in 1916 by Margaret Sanger, Ethel Byrne, and Fania Mindell, the organization has grown to become one of the largest and most well-known providers of reproductive health services in the United States.

At its core, Planned Parenthood’s mission is to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality, affordable health care, particularly when it comes to reproductive and sexual health. The organization operates over 600 health centers across the United States, offering a wide range of services, including:

• Birth control: Planned Parenthood provides access to various forms of birth control, including pills, patches, rings, shots, and implants.
• Cancer screenings: The organization offers Pap tests, breast exams, and screenings for cervical, breast, and other cancers.
• STI testing and treatment: Planned Parenthood provides testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
• Abortion services: The organization offers abortion care, including medication and surgical abortions, as well as pre- and post-abortion counseling.
• Pregnancy testing and counseling: Planned Parenthood provides pregnancy testing, options counseling, and prenatal care.
• Sex education: The organization offers comprehensive sex education programs for people of all ages, focusing on healthy relationships, consent, and safe sex practices.

In addition to its health care services, Planned Parenthood is also a leading advocate for reproductive rights and access to health care. The organization works to:

• Protect access to reproductive health care: Planned Parenthood advocates for policies that ensure access to affordable, high-quality health care, particularly for low-income communities and communities of color.
• Advance reproductive rights: The organization works to protect and expand reproductive rights, including the right to access abortion, birth control, and comprehensive sex education.
• Promote healthy relationships and consent: Planned Parenthood provides education and resources to help people build healthy relationships, understand consent, and prevent sexual violence.

One of the key challenges facing Planned Parenthood is the ongoing debate over reproductive rights and access to health care. Despite being a vital provider of essential health services, the organization has faced numerous attempts to defund it, restrict its services, and limit its ability to operate. These challenges have been driven, in part, by misconceptions and misinformation about the organization’s mission and services.

To address these misconceptions, it’s essential to understand the facts about Planned Parenthood. For example, did you know that:

• Only 3% of Planned Parenthood’s services are related to abortion: Despite claims that the organization is primarily an abortion provider, the vast majority of its services focus on preventive care, such as birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing.
• Planned Parenthood serves people of all ages and backgrounds: The organization provides health care services to people from all walks of life, regardless of their income, insurance status, or demographic background.
• Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider of health care: The organization has a long history of providing high-quality, patient-centered care, and is accredited by the Joint Commission, a national organization that evaluates health care providers.

In conclusion, Planned Parenthood is a vital organization that provides essential reproductive health care services, education, and advocacy to millions of people worldwide. Despite the challenges it faces, the organization remains committed to its mission of ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, affordable health care, regardless of their background or circumstances. By understanding the facts about Planned Parenthood and its services, we can work together to promote reproductive health, rights, and justice for all.