In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eliminated an eight-person team responsible for creating and updating contraception guidelines. This move has alarmed many doctors specializing in women’s health, who relied heavily on the team’s work to provide safe and effective contraceptive care.
The team developed the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, a trusted resource that helped clinicians navigate contraceptive options, especially for women with specific health conditions. The guidelines were easily accessible via a popular app downloaded over 440,000 times, praised by doctors for its clear, quick, and reliable information.
Dr. Angeline Ti, a family physician in Atlanta, expressed shock over the cuts, emphasizing that contraception should not be controversial. “I use these guidelines almost every time I see a patient for contraceptive care,” she said.
Obstetrician Dr. Andrea Braden also highlighted the importance of the resource, noting that all OB-GYNs depended on it. “There is no other resource doing this,” she said. The team’s elimination occurred without explanation from the Department of Health and Human Services or the Trump administration.
The guidelines, last updated in 2024, included important changes such as new recommendations for breastfeeding mothers and women with Sickle Cell Disease—a condition that increases pregnancy risks. Dr. Deva Sharma, a hematologist, called the team’s removal “detrimental to women’s health,” stressing that medicine evolves rapidly and guidelines must be regularly updated to reflect new research.
Patients like Teonna Woolford, who has Sickle Cell Disease and founded a nonprofit advocating for reproductive education, fear the loss of these guidelines will worsen health disparities. “The removal of the CDC team reminds me of darker times when people of color were oppressed,” Woolford said, highlighting the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
With many U.S. states restricting abortion access, doctors warn that informed contraceptive care is more critical than ever. Losing this vital CDC team threatens women’s ability to make safe, informed decisions about their reproductive health, potentially leading to worse outcomes and fewer treatment options.
Practical Advice for Patients:
Discuss contraception options openly with your healthcare provider, especially if you have chronic health conditions.
Use trusted medical apps and resources to stay informed about contraceptive methods.
Advocate for your reproductive health rights and support organizations working to maintain access to contraception information.
For Clinicians:
Stay updated through professional networks and medical journals to compensate for gaps left by the CDC team’s removal.
Prioritize patient-centered care, especially when counseling breastfeeding mothers and women with complex medical conditions.
Collaborate with specialists to ensure safe contraceptive choices for high-risk patients.
