Grant: Cat Gr:Policy Res. for Health Sys. Transf.- Canadian Healthcare Workforce

Inadequate and inequitable access to contraception has limited the ability for populations in Canada to optimally time their pregnancies. For priority populations (rural and remote, adolescent, gender diverse, racialized), inadequate access to the most effective contraception is a key barrier to preventing unplanned pregnancy. The British Columbia (BC) health system is undergoing substantial contraception policy change that holds the potential to prove contraception access by 1) providing a universal prescription contraception subsidy, and 2) allowing direct pharmacist contraception provision. RESEARCH APPROACH: This study will use BC's population data to generate urgently needed evidence for health policymakers, system decision-makers, and patient advocates. We will: 1. Describe the geographic distribution and characteristics of the contraception workforce and trends over time. 2. Identify the frequency and characteristics of "contraception deserts", geographic regions lacking adequate access to long-acting reversible contraception services. 3. Describe long-acting reversible contraception use, including characteristics of populations with lowest and highest uptake and trends over time. POTENTIAL IMPACT: This analysis is urgently needed by knowledge user decision-makers in the BC health system and patient advocacy organizations. This study will provide evidence to support policy implementation, development, and revision to improve contraception access for regions and population groups with greatest need and inform professional development for workforce planning. This lays the foundation for a learning health system approach to further policy evaluation and adaptation to ensure equitable access to the most effective contraception.