What is it about?
In this study we review training material and we interview Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC) staff members to understand the false and misleading health information shared by CPCs. CPCs are an arm of the anti-abortion movement, with contemporary anti-abortion advocates positioning CPCs as alternatives to existing medical and abortion clinics in communities. In our research, we identify false or misleading health information related to abortion, fertility, and contraception in training materials and interviews. Separately, we also document how CPC staff create an organizational identity that represents CPCs as medical facilities, even though they are not licensed as such and thus are not bound by patient privacy laws such as HIPAA.
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Why is it important?
CPCs are numerous, both within and beyond the United States. Because they offer free material resources and position themselves as an alternative to legitimate reproductive health care clinics, a significant portion of the general population has visited them. As such, the false and misleading health information they share has the potential to negatively impact large portions of the population.
Perspectives
I'm a strong believer in empowering patients to manage and understand their own health but after working on this paper, I'm much more aware of just how difficult it can be to identify trustworthy and factual information. I'm hopeful that this research will help frame a conversation about the accountability of care and accuracy of information our patients deserve.
Evangeline Warren
Ohio State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Examining the inaccurate reproductive health messaging of crisis pregnancy centers: A comparative qualitative study, PLOS One, June 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325740.
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