Delaware CAN

Delaware CAN (Contraceptive Access Now) is a partnership between Upstream and the state of Delaware aimed at reducing the rate of unintended pregnancy.

Small state. Big idea.

Launched in 2014, our comprehensive, statewide plan is increasing access for all women in Delaware to the full range of contraceptive methods, including the most effective, IUDs and implants. Upstream provides the training, technical assistance, and quality improvement to all publicly funded health centers and the largest private providers in the state.

Our goal is to improve public health by creating an environment where the women of Delaware are empowered to become pregnant only if and when they want to.

"I’ve come to believe that helping women achieve their own goals and become pregnant only when they want to may be one of the most important things we can do in this regard. There are very, very few times when you can create better outcomes, save money, and create opportunity all at once – and this is one of those rare times. And if we get it right, we have a chance to catalyze a national movement that could have a profoundly positive effect for generations.”

— Former Governor Jack Markell

How we’re increasing access to contraception:

Providing training and technical assistance to all publicly funded healthcare providers and the largest private healthcare providers in the state to ensure their patients are offered the full range of contraceptive methods in a single appointment.

Working with state agencies to ensure that there are no policy barriers to all women getting same-day access to all methods of birth control, at low or no cost.

Increasing public knowledge and awareness of contraceptive options and where low or no cost contraception can be obtained through public education campaigns.

Participating in a rigorous, independent evaluation of the impact of Delaware CAN led by the University of Maryland so that the impact of our work, including health outcomes and related cost savings, can be understood both in and outside of Delaware.

"Our partnership [with Upstream] has accelerated our ability to support women in making choices for their own health and wellbeing, and for their families…Thanks to our partnership, contraceptive access is available through nearly every door of Christiana Care Health System."

— Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, President and CEO, Christiana Care Health System

Progress in Delaware

In a report released by Child Trends using available contraceptive data from 2014 to 2017, LARC use increased from 13.7 to 31.5 percent among Delaware Title X family planning clients ages 20 to 39.

This observed movement from moderately effective methods to highly effective LARCs, paired with a small decrease in no method use, was linked to a substantial simulated decrease (24.2 percent) in the unintended pregnancy rate among this population from 2014 to 2017.

The complete report, including methodology and limitations, was commissioned by Upstream and can be found at Child Trends.

Simulated unintended pregnancy rates, Title X family planning clients aged 20-39* in Delaware and the United States, 2014-2017

Source: FamilyScape simulations using state-level Title X data from Delaware and from U.S. Title X data, 2014-2017
*Study limited to women at risk of unintended pregnancy (sexually active and not pregnant or seeking pregnancy). Complete methodology and limitations can be found at Child Trends.

Delaware CAN

Delaware CAN

Participating health care providers: