An Agenda for Action on Policy-Ready Contraceptive Access Research
By Nikita Malcolm
When CECA began our work in 2019, our goal was to develop impactful, feasible, and sustainable recommendations for the federal executive branch to expand contraceptive access. In the course of our evidence reviews and expert consultations, it was apparent not only where solid evidence could be used to advance contraceptive access but also where the needed evidence did not yet exist. It was also clear that the field lacked a shared understanding of the policy-relevant research needed to drive action.
To fill this gap, CECA led a collaborative process to create a Priority Roadmap for Policy-Ready Contraceptive Research (“the Roadmap”). The Roadmap includes actionable recommendations and equity-informed research principles that position public and private funders to invest strategically in policy-ready research, researchers to carry out impactful research projects, and policymakers and advocates to use evidence effectively.
CECA gathered inputs from the field to understand the state of the evidence, synthesize best practices for constructing a research agenda, identify pressing policy questions, and develop the Roadmap. We also convened a diverse expert workgroup made up of researchers, clinical experts, policy advocates, and community representatives who translated findings into research and policy priorities and actions.
How can we implement the recommendations in the Research Roadmap?
Implementation of the recommendations in the Roadmap calls for strategic, coordinated, and collaborative action across key stakeholder groups. For example:
Funders can –
Issue requests for proposals specifically targeted to Roadmap recommendations.
Use the research principles to assess whether investments uphold equity and justice.
Researchers can –
Map research portfolio and planned projects to the Roadmap recommendations and research principles.
Collaborate with policymakers and advocates to translate evidence to policymaking.
Policymakers and Advocates can –
Understand research findings on the horizon that may support policymaking efforts.
Collaborate with researchers to understand how evidence can improve policy.
A call to action
We each have a role to play in advancing equitable contraceptive access research and policy – funders, researchers, policymakers, and advocates alike. We hope the Roadmap will be a tool to promote research conducted with equity principles at the center, advance strategic and diverse research investments, and improve coordination and collaboration within and between key stakeholder groups.
All audiences are encouraged to examine how they can shift their work and collaborate with others interested in contraceptive access to advance this agenda.
If you are interested in learning more about the Roadmap, or partnering with CECA to share the Roadmap’s recommendations more broadly, please contact us at CECA@contraceptionaccess.org. We would love to hear from you!