Health policy and population policy--a relationship redefined

The final report of The Commission on Population Growth and the American Future presents a significant redefinition of the relationship between health and population policy, by highlighting the points of common interest between those seeking a more rational health system, those seeking rapid reduction in population growth, and the contribution each group can make to the realization of common objectives. Slower population growth can provide the opportunity to devote resources to improving the quality of life rather than merely coping with its quantity. The Commission proposes a large number of social, economic, educational and health policies and programs for action by federal, state and local governments, and the private sector. The Commission recommends a national policy and voluntary program to reduce unwanted fertility, to improve the outcome of pregnancy, and to improve the health of children. Such a policy would consist of: 1) expansion of the federal family planning project grant programs; 2) elimination of legal restrictions on access to contraceptive information; 3) liberalization of abortion laws; 4) payment by public and private health financing mechanisms of the full cost of health services related to fertility; 5) increased federal investment in fertility related research; 6) elimination of administrative restrictions on availability of voluntary sterilization; 7) development of educational programs on family planning, family life, sexuality, and population dynamics; 8) development of programs to train the required medical and paramedical personnel. The Commission has added a potent demographic justification to the health and welfare rationales upon which proposals to improve the control of fertility and the provision of fertility-related health services have been based. Health workers and health institutions will continue to bear a central responsibility for action programs to reduce unwanted fertility and slow down population growth. The added demographic justification for expansion of fertility control and fertility related health programs provides an opportunity secure support for efforts to bring about a more rational health system from those whose primary concern is population growth.