Public Health and Reproductive Policy

Federal health officials have issued a recent Title X grant notice that critics say downplays contraception and shifts the program's emphasis amid a falling U.S. birthrate. The change, reported in coverage of the notice, has drawn attention because Title X is the federal family-planning program that funnels funding to clinics providing birth control, cancer screenings and STI services across the country. Advocates and commenters contend the notice reflects a broader policy shift toward encouraging conception and away from promoting reliable contraceptive methods.