The U.S. has ceased its financial support for family planning initiatives in developing countries, affecting nearly 50 million women's access to contraception. This decision has gone largely unnoticed amid broader cuts to foreign aid but could lead to significant consequences, such as rising maternal deaths and increased poverty levels. In 2023, the U.S. accounted for about 40% of funding for family planning in 31 countries, significantly impacting women's health and reducing unintended pregnancies. Analysts predict that this funding cut could result in 34,000 maternal deaths annually from preventable causes, highlighting the critical need for continued support in these regions.
Without this annual contribution, 34,000 women could die from preventable maternal deaths each year, the Guttmacher calculation concluded.
The United States provided about 40 percent of the funding governments contributed to family planning programs in 31 developing countries.
The magnitude of the impact is mind-boggling, said Marie Ba, who leads the coordination team for the Ouagadougou Partnership.
This policy change has attracted little attention amid the wholesale dismantling of American foreign aid, but it stands to have enormous implications.
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