The Right Time is a six-year initiative that is based on the simple belief that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the future they want, including if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant. We seek to empower individuals to take control of their own health by improving information about, and removing barriers to, contraceptive services, recognizing that decisions always rest with the patient.

With a goal of reducing Missouri’s unintended pregnancy rate by 10 percent, we are committed to addressing persistent health disparities that exist around unintended pregnancy and marginalized populations.

Why it matters:

Fifty-one percent of all pregnancies in Missouri are described by women themselves as unintended, and women of color, women of limited economic means, and women with less education all have higher rates of unintended pregnancy. The annual public costs associated with unintended pregnancy is $518 million in Missouri.

When women get pregnant on their own terms, they face fewer challenges in achieving their educational and career goals and are better prepared for the demands of parenthood. This leads to healthier women and babies, substantial savings to Missouri’s health system, and reduced health disparities.

How we’re changing things:

Through this initiative, we are working with a variety of health centers in targeted regions across the state to provide training, technical assistance, and funding to expand access to the full range of contraceptive methods. Six health centers have joined the initiative in its first year, and two more sets of six or seven will be added the following two years, leading to a peak of 21 in 2021.

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Learn more about the launch.