Planned Parenthood
A US nonprofit network providing reproductive and sexual healthcare, education, research, and advocacy.
Last updated November 2, 2026
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Overview
Planned Parenthood is the commonly used name for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a US nonprofit organization and network of affiliated healthcare providers focused on reproductive and sexual health. Its work includes contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, pregnancy testing and options counseling, abortion in locations where affiliates provide it, prenatal services, vasectomy, LGBTQ-related care, cancer screening referrals, and comprehensive sexuality education. The organization also conducts public education, supports research, and advocates for access to reproductive healthcare and legal protections. The movement's roots reach back to October 1916, when Margaret Sanger, Ethel Byrne, and Fania Mindell opened a birth-control clinic in Brooklyn, New York. The clinic was quickly closed and the three women were prosecuted under the Comstock Act, but the case helped bring national attention to contraception and restrictions on reproductive information. Sanger organized the American Birth Control League in 1921. A separate clinical research bureau established in 1923 later merged with the League, and the combined organization became the Birth Control Federation of America in 1939. It adopted the name Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942. During the 1940s through the 1960s, the federation expanded its network of local affiliates, public education, medical services, and research. It helped establish the International Planned Parenthood Federation in 1952 and became increasingly involved in efforts to liberalize US abortion laws. Although abortion had been illegal in much of the country for most of the organization's early history, Planned Parenthood's professional and policy work contributed to the broader reform movement. After abortion became constitutionally protected under Roe v. Wade in 1973, many affiliates began providing abortion services. The organization played a prominent role in the development of publicly supported family planning. During the 1960s and early 1970s, its advocacy contributed to the political environment surrounding Title X, the federal family-planning program signed into law in 1970. Planned Parenthood's former Center for Family Planning Program Development became an independent research organization, later known as the Guttmacher Institute, in 1977. Planned Parenthood is structured as a national federation of affiliates rather than as a conventional commercial chain. The reference material describes 159 medical and non-medical affiliates operating more than 600 US health centers, with partnerships in 12 countries. Services and facilities differ by affiliate and jurisdiction. The organization serves patients through physical clinics, education programs, advocacy initiatives, and digital tools such as the Planned Parenthood Direct app. Its patient base includes substantial numbers of low-income people, teenagers, racial and ethnic minorities, men, and LGBTQ patients. The organization is also one of the most politically visible participants in US reproductive-rights debates. Supporters describe it as an important safety-net provider and a source of medically supervised care and trusted information. Opponents criticize its abortion services, public funding, and political advocacy. Planned Parenthood affiliates have faced demonstrations, lawsuits, legislative restrictions, labor disputes, violent attacks, and cybersecurity incidents. Despite these pressures, the federation remains active and continues to combine direct care with education and policy advocacy. Its 2023 annual report, as summarized in the reference material, recorded more than two million patients and 9.13 million discrete services, including 392,715 abortions.
History
Planned Parenthood developed from the early twentieth-century US birth-control movement. In 1916, Margaret Sanger, Ethel Byrne, and Fania Mindell opened a clinic in Brooklyn to distribute contraceptives and provide information about birth control. Authorities prosecuted the women under the Comstock Act, making the clinic and the resulting Brownsville trials an important publicity event for the movement. The legal campaign helped produce a more permissive interpretation allowing physicians to prescribe contraceptives. Sanger formed the American Birth Control League in 1921. In 1923 she also established the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau, which distributed contraceptives under physician supervision and studied their effectiveness. The bureau and the League merged in 1939 to create the Birth Control Federation of America. The federation adopted the Planned Parenthood Federation of America name in 1942, as it broadened its public-health identity and developed a nationwide affiliate system. Through the 1940s and 1950s, the organization expanded beyond individual clinics. It supported family-planning counseling, public education, marriage and infertility services, medical research, and cooperation with local health systems. By 1941, the predecessor organization was operating 222 centers and had served approximately 49,000 clients. Planned Parenthood also helped found the International Planned Parenthood Federation in 1952, linking the US organization to a global family-planning movement. The 1960s brought major changes in reproductive medicine and law. Alan Frank Guttmacher led Planned Parenthood from 1962 to 1974, a period that included the FDA approval of the original birth-control pill and growing public debate over reproductive autonomy. Planned Parenthood supported the development of federal family-planning assistance, and Title X was enacted in 1970. Its Center for Family Planning Program Development later became the independent Guttmacher Institute in 1977. For much of its early history, the organization operated while abortion was illegal in many parts of the United States and publicly emphasized contraception as a way to reduce the need for abortion. Its position changed over time. A 1955 professional conference convened by medical director Mary Calderone helped advance discussion of abortion-law reform. By 1969, Planned Parenthood was calling for repeal of anti-abortion laws. After Roe v. Wade in 1973, participating affiliates began providing abortion care, and Planned Parenthood became one of the country's most prominent abortion-rights organizations and providers. Faye Wattleton, who served as president from 1978 to 1992, became the first African American and the youngest person to lead the federation. During her tenure the organization grew substantially in affiliates, patients, and national visibility. Gloria Feldt led the organization from 1996 to 2006, strengthening electoral advocacy through the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and promoting initiatives concerning unintended pregnancy, reproductive-care quality, and abortion access. Cecile Richards became president in 2006 and left the role in 2018. A short transition under Joe Solmonese was followed by Leana Wen's presidency from late 2018 until the board removed her in July 2019; Alexis McGill Johnson then became acting president. In the twenty-first century, Planned Parenthood has combined clinic-based care with telehealth, mobile services, education, and political advocacy. Its affiliates operate independently within a national federation, so the range of services differs by location and state law. The organization has also faced continuing opposition, protests, legislative restrictions, legal disputes, workplace organizing campaigns, and violent attacks. Cybersecurity incidents affecting affiliates in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles exposed sensitive donor or patient information. Despite these controversies and operational challenges, Planned Parenthood remains a major US provider of reproductive and sexual healthcare and an internationally recognized reproductive-rights organization.
- 2015
Planned Parenthood Direct launched
[1]The organization introduced a digital health application supporting remote access to selected services.
- 1977
Guttmacher Institute becomes independent
[1]Planned Parenthood's Center for Family Planning Program Development became the independent Guttmacher Institute.
- 1973
Roe v. Wade reshapes abortion access
[1]The Supreme Court decision made abortion a central part of Planned Parenthood's service and advocacy environment.
- 1970
Title X enacted
[1]Federal legislation established a major US program supporting family-planning services for people with limited incomes.
- 1952
International Planned Parenthood Federation founded
[1]Planned Parenthood was among the founding members of the international federation.
- 1942
Planned Parenthood Federation of America name adopted
[1]The Birth Control Federation of America changed its name to Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
- 1939
Birth Control Federation of America formed
[1]The American Birth Control League and the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau merged.
- 1921
American Birth Control League organized
[1]Margaret Sanger organized the American Birth Control League, the principal predecessor of Planned Parenthood.
- 1916
First US birth-control clinic opens in Brooklyn
[1]Margaret Sanger, Ethel Byrne, and Fania Mindell opened a clinic in Brownsville, Brooklyn, distributing contraceptives and birth-control information.
Products and positioning
A large, mission-driven reproductive-health and rights organization combining direct clinical services, education, research, and nonpartisan advocacy.
Healthcare service
Contraception and family planning
Affiliates provide counseling and access to birth-control methods, including pills, emergency contraception, and long-acting reversible contraception. Availability varies by clinic, state, patient eligibility, and applicable law.
Healthcare service
Abortion care
Participating affiliates provide medication or procedural abortion services where permitted. Planned Parenthood also provides pregnancy testing, options counseling, and referrals in locations where a particular service is unavailable.
Healthcare service
Sexual and reproductive healthcare
The network offers STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, cervical and other cancer-related screening services, vasectomy, erectile-dysfunction care, and selected LGBTQ-related services.
Digital health · 2015
Planned Parenthood Direct
The app and related digital services extend access beyond clinics. Depending on state and service availability, patients can obtain birth-control pills, care for urinary-tract infections, and medication-abortion delivery.
Education
Sex education
Planned Parenthood provides online and community-based information about contraception, consent, relationships, puberty, sexual health, and sexually transmitted infections.
Controversies
2021
Los Angeles patient-data ransomware breach
A hacker accessed the Los Angeles affiliate's network and obtained personal information connected with approximately 400,000 patients. The organization did not disclose whether a ransom was paid or identify the perpetrators.
2021
Lyft pledges support for drivers affected by Texas abortion ban
In September 2021, Lyft pledged to cover legal fees for drivers sued under Texas' abortion ban and said it was donating $1 million to Planned Parenthood. CEO Logan Green described the law as an attack on women's healthcare access and said Lyft had created a Driver Legal Defense Fund. The announcement placed the company's support for Planned Parenthood within its public response to the Texas legislation.
2020
Metropolitan Washington data breach
A cyberattack compromised donor and patient information, reportedly including dates of birth, Social Security numbers, financial information, and medical data.
2017
Affiliate labor disputes and unionization conflicts
Workers at several affiliates criticized compensation and working conditions. Reported disputes included challenges to union elections, alleged anti-union activity, discipline of bargaining representatives, and the firing of a union organizer.
Marketing campaigns
- 2006Planned Parenthood Action Fund electoral advocacy
United States
The Action Fund expanded voter education, legislative advocacy, and grassroots organizing concerning reproductive rights.
Outcome. The action fund became a significant force in reproductive rights advocacy in the United States, influencing electoral and legislative outcomes.
- 1996Responsible Choices Action Agenda
United States
An initiative associated with Gloria Feldt's leadership sought to reduce unintended pregnancy, improve reproductive healthcare, and preserve access to safe and legal abortion.
Outcome. The initiative helped position the organization as a leading advocate for reproductive health and rights, and expanded its public policy engagement.
- 1996Global Partnership Program
International
Planned Parenthood began developing an international activist and family-planning constituency through partnerships and global reproductive-health work.
Outcome. The program helped establish international partnerships and expanded the organization's global reach.
Brand decisions
2015
Launch of Planned Parenthood DirectProduct launchBackground
Patients increasingly sought healthcare access through mobile and remote channels.
Action taken
Planned Parenthood introduced a digital application for selected reproductive and sexual-health services.
Aftermath
The platform expanded over time to support birth-control delivery, urinary-tract-infection care, and medication-abortion delivery in some states.
1969
Call for repeal of anti-abortion lawsStrategyBackground
Growing public and professional debate challenged state criminal restrictions on abortion.
Action taken
Planned Parenthood became an increasingly vocal supporter of repealing anti-abortion laws.
Aftermath
The organization became a major participant in the US abortion-rights movement and later provided abortion services through participating affiliates.
1955
Professional conference on abortion-law reformStrategyBackground
Abortion was illegal in much of the United States, and the organization was primarily associated with contraception and family planning.
Action taken
Medical director Mary Calderone convened medical professionals to discuss reform of criminal abortion laws.
Aftermath
The meeting helped establish professional support for abortion-law reform and preceded Planned Parenthood's later public advocacy for liberalization.
Recent events
Planned Parenthood closes Northeast Heights health center in Albuquerque[4]
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains permanently closed its Northeast Heights abortion facility in Albuquerque, posting a closure notice directing patients to its Eubank Health Center as of July 13.
Texas sues Planned Parenthood over Medicaid payments[5]
Reported:
Texas filed a lawsuit seeking more than $10 million in Medicaid payments from Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood called the lawsuit “another political attack.”
Lyft pledges support for drivers affected by Texas abortion ban[3]
Reported:
Lyft pledged to cover legal fees for drivers sued under Texas’ abortion ban and said it was donating $1 million to Planned Parenthood. CEO Logan Green described the law as an attack on women’s healthcare access and said Lyft had created a Driver Legal Defense Fund.
Planned Parenthood sues church and pastors over gatherings[6]
Reported:
Planned Parenthood sued Covenant Church and five area pastors, alleging noise violations and harm to patients related to the church's gatherings outside its facility.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America files suit over Texas abortion ban[7]
Reported:
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, along with other pro-choice groups, filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and other state officials over a temporary ban on elective abortion during the coronavirus pandemic. The suit argues that the order and Paxton’s interpretation of it violate constitutional rights.
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