Innovative Discoveries Series: Does Increased Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Have Unintended Costs?

  • November 11, 2021 from 12:00-1:00pm
  • Virtual Presentation through BlueJeans at https://bluejeans.com/361095905
  • Please RSVP by emailing Debra Reese. Please include your full name, email address, and institution/organization. 
  • We will provide instructions on obtaining CME credit for attendance.

This research project investigates potentially unintended effects of the rapid growth of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods.

LARC methods, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, are highly effective at preventing pregnancy but offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Moreover, unlike other prescription contraceptive methods that require annual health care visits, the longer effectiveness of LARC methods may lead women to forgo their annual well-woman exam, causing them to miss health care counseling that would improve health and well-being.

To understand any potential relationships between LARC adoption, STI prevalence, and adherence to preventive care, we use Delaware Medicaid encounter and claim records. Our sample includes full-benefit Medicaid recipients age 15 through 49 from 2012 through 2018. We compare women choosing LARC to women choosing other (or no) contraceptive options. By better understanding these associations, our research can inform improvements in quality of care and health outcomes, while decreasing costs.

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.

Meet the Speaker

Katie Fitzpatrick, PhD, MPP, BA

Katie Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor at the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. Her research focuses on how non-bank financial services, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid affect health and well-being. Her current projects include understanding how health insurance affects the use of financial services and how health policy change the use of preventive care. Dr. Fitzpatrick received a B.A. in Public Policy from Stanford University, a M.P.P. from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University. Prior to her academic appointments, she worked in federal and local policy.

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