Free Emergency Contraception at PPHP Health Centers

(Hawthorne, NY) – Starting Monday, August 24, receive a free pack of emergency contraception (EC) at all Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) health centers in Westchester, Suffolk, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.  The offer is valid with a paid visit and while supplies last.

“Every woman should have EC on hand in her medicine cabinet, just in case,” said Judy Gallo, Senior Vice President, Patient Services, PPHP. “Planned pregnancies are more likely to result in healthy pregnancies, and a healthy mother and baby.  EC is an important tool for women to prevent unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion.”

Emergency contraception is a safe back up method of birth control that can lower the risk of pregnancy when taken within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.  However, it is most effective when started within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The sooner EC is taken, the better it works, making timely access critical.  EC does not terminate or harm an existing pregnancy.

A Guttmacher Institute study found that, in 2001, approximately one-half of pregnancies in the United States were unintended.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States has set a national goal of decreasing unintended pregnancies to 30% by 2010.  Although awareness and access to EC has increased since the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter sales of EC for women 17 years of age and older, many women still are not aware of its availability or misunderstand its use.  Over 90% of PPHP’s services are preventive, including access to emergency contraception.

To make an appointment for a visit call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526), visit http://www.pphp.org/, or text “Plan” to 41045 for the nearest PPHP health center.

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Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc (PPHP) is the 16^th largest affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and operates 13 medical centers in Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.  In 2008, PPHP provided services to over 36,000 patients in over 70,000 visits.  We conducted over 1,800 education programs reaching more than 30,000 youth and adults, and mobilized approximately 10,000 advocates to protect reproductive health care rights.  PPHP has served the community for 75 years, and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health.  Planned Parenthood has done more to reduce the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy than any other health care provider or advocacy group.  PPHP is headquartered in Hawthorne NY. For more information about PPHP services and programs, visit http://www.pphp.org/.