Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are places that provide counseling, material resources, and other support to pregnant people, particularly those who are undecided about an unplanned pregnancy. CPCs often present themselves as healthcare clinics but their primary goal is to dissuade pregnant people from having abortions.
Many CPCs engage in unethical practices, including providing misleading or false information, misrepresenting what services they provide, and not protecting client privacy. These practices threaten patient rights and reproductive autonomy.
A new CORE brief summarizes the available evidence on:
- The services provided at CPCs
- The practices and harms of such centers
- The experience of people who seek services at these facilities
- The role of law and regulation in CPC operations
A related infographic, at right, also outlines key takeaways.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, lawmakers in some states, including Wisconsin, have sought to increase public funding of CPCs. In this context, understanding CPC operations and impact is critical. Over 2,500 CPCs exist in the United States, including at least 60 in Wisconsin.
Particularly for individuals facing financial scarcity and social inequities, CPCs may fill an important gap by providing material goods such as diapers and formula. However, research documents that this assistance is offered at the expense of unregulated, misleading, non-evidence-based services that promote an anti-abortion agenda and undermine pregnant people’s health, wellbeing, right to privacy, and autonomy.
View or download the full brief and related infographic.