Developing a Priority Roadmap for Policy-Ready Contraceptive Research

Learn About CECA’s Research Roadmap

CECA identified the research needed to advance contraceptive access policy that will promote universal, equitable access to high-quality contraception for all. Scroll down to learn more about our approach and available resources.

Background

Research plays a pivotal role in ensuring contraceptive access policy is evidence-informed, effective, and equitable. Yet the field currently lacks a shared understanding of the policy-relevant research needed to drive action.

Several barriers—including differing priorities between researchers and policymakers and ineffective dissemination and translation of research findings—often impede the use of evidence in policymaking. Alignment between a broad group of stakeholders, including policymakers, advocates, researchers, and clinical and legal experts, can help advance research to shape proactive domestic contraceptive access policy, consistent with a vision of Sexual and Reproductive Health Equity (SRHE) and wellbeing for all.

Approach

CECA carried out six environmental scans and gathered input from 89 individuals representing 50 organizations through expert panels and workgroups to:

  • Survey existing evidence, identify where gaps remain to build a solid foundation of research, and prioritize these gaps.

  • Identify where additional research investment is needed and where opportunities for policy and program evaluations may exist.  

  • Develop a Research Roadmap to describe the state of the field and next steps, with an eye toward equity and implementation.

Grounded in priority problems, policy principles and levers, and needed research, the Roadmap focuses on three themes:

  • Gears Icon

    Develop a Framework

    Develop a framework for holistic, equitable contraceptive access.

  • Heart and Care Icon

    Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure

    Strengthen healthcare infrastructure to expand contraceptive access.

  • Computer and Stars Icon

    Support Technology and Innovation

    Support technology and innovation in contraceptive service delivery.

Three people talking around a table and looking at a laptop

Stakeholders

Intended to be applicable to a wide variety of stakeholders, the Roadmap is especially geared toward:

  • Public and private funders to support strategic decision-making for investments.

  • A broad range of researchers to guide their priorities and approaches to generate policy-relevant evidence, and/or to set an organizational research agenda around contraceptive access.

  • Policymakers and advocates for awareness of research that may support their efforts.

How research is conducted can be just as significant as its design and content.

The Roadmap describes five principles for contraceptive access research conduct that center reproductive justice, human rights, and health equity.

Equity-Informed Principles for Contraceptive Research

  1. Ground contraceptive access research in a holistic vision of sexual and reproductive health that centers justice, equity, autonomy, and choice.

  2. Interrogate and re-evaluate the research practices that have guided us. 

  3. Honor and embrace communities as equal partners throughout the research process. 

  4. Understand and reflect the impact of the historical, sociocultural, political, and economic contexts that influence the lived experiences of community members. 

  5. Design actionable research that can be used to impact the lives of individuals and communities through changes in systems, policies, and practice. 

Recommendations and Resources

Research Roadmap

Based on priority problems and the policy principles and levers that are needed to create change, the Roadmap identifies the research needed to advance contraceptive access policy that promotes universal, equitable access to high-quality contraception for all.

Environmental Scans

To inform development of the Roadmap, CECA performed a series of six targeted and strategic environmental scans to survey existing evidence on key priority topics related to contraceptive access and identify where gaps remain. Each scan presents an overview of the existing evidence, identifies research gaps, and makes recommendations for future research.

Research Gaps Summary Report

Based on the environmental scans and other summaries of evidence, CECA prepared a summary report describing research gaps impeding contraceptive access policy. This document synthesizes existing evidence, potential policy levers, and research gaps for future exploration.