# Leveraging Linked Data to Evaluate Social and Spatial Disparities in Contraception Access and Regional Program Impacts

> **NIH AHRQ K01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $156,960

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Unintended pregnancy occurs in a variety of contexts with multiple influences acting on individuals' risk. Primary
evidence-based interventions for reducing unintended pregnancy are removal of cost-barriers and increase in
contraceptive coverage. Policies and programs on the federal, state, and local level have the potential to affect
the accessibility and affordability of family planning services and thus rates of unintended pregnancy. These
programs may have differential effects on individuals depending on where people live and other social
determinants of health.
The overarching research goals of this proposal are to Aim 1) Determine population-level impacts of HER SL on
unintended pregnancies and birth outcomes, Aim 2) Identify regional differences in family planning service
utilization and outcomes using the UPDBs' linked all-payer claims, electronic medical records, geospatial
markers, demographic profiles, and birth certificates, and, Aim 3) Establish linked-data infrastructure for timely
evaluation of contraception policy and programs on short- and long-term impacts. For Aim 1, I will examine
impacts from a county-level contraceptive initiative, HER Salt Lake (n=11,498), using a matched-control design.
Using a difference-in-difference design, I will compare unintended pregnancy rates and birth outcomes between
the exposed cohort and the matched controls. In Aim 2, I will employ geographic information systems (GIS)
methods and hierarchical regression methods for causal inferences to evaluate associations between region
(metropolitan, micropolitan, rural, and frontier areas) and family planning utilization and pregnancy related
outcomes. Understanding regional variation in contraception access and outcomes, will elucidate regional
disparities that can be targeted with evidence-based policy and programs. Finally, in Aim 3, I will establish a
linked-data infrastructure using multiple data sources to pinpoint changes in family planning service access and
uptake, transitions of where individuals seek family planning care, contraceptive use and need, and pregnancy
and birth outcomes moving forward in relation to policy changes.
I will use this research platform in combination with an exceptional mentorship and advisory team to become a
national expert in linked-data approaches to contraception and reproductive health access program and policy
evaluations. During this award period, I will engage in selected training activities in 1) linking primary data to
multiple administrative data sources; 2) geographical information systems methodology; 3) applied health policy
evaluation; and 4) leadership and mentorship. This work aligns with the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality's (AHRQ) mission to produce evidence that makes healthcare more accessible and more equitable. This
work has potential benefits for AHRQ's priority populations specifically, women, adolescents, low income, and
rural residents.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10054744
- **Project number:** 1K01HS027220-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** JESSICA N SANDERS
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AHRQ
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $156,960
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10054744

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10054744, Leveraging Linked Data to Evaluate Social and Spatial Disparities in Contraception Access and Regional Program Impacts (1K01HS027220-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10054744. Licensed CC0.

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