Q&A: Researcher calls for a ‘contraception revolution’

Talk of mitigating climate change usually involves mentions of reducing fossil fuel and plastic use. A less discussed approach? Population control. In a new perspective piece in NEJM, Boston University reproductive health researcher Deborah Anderson tackles that controversial proposal by calling for “a contraception revolution”: an investment in new and better methods. I spoke with her to learn more.

Why did you feel the need to raise this issue? 

About half of all pregnancies are unplanned, which is just a staggering number to me. We need more contraceptives out there so that women — and men — have more choices and contraception has more impact so we can bring the population down. 

What would be a better contraceptive? 

We need more user-friendly, non-prescription methods for women. And the other big — huge — gap is male contraception.

Read the rest of our interview here.