Crisis Pregnancy Centers in the United States: Post- Dobbs Characteristics and Changes

Am J Public Health. 2025 Jun;115(6):924-935. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2025.308055.

Abstract

Objective. To enumerate crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in the United States in 2024 and examine changes before and after Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization and associations with selected state characteristics. Methods. Repeated cross-sectional analyses used CPC Map data to describe the number of CPCs in the United States after Dobbs and examine changes since 2021. We used negative binomial models to compare CPC counts by selected state characteristics. Results. In 2024, 2633 CPCs operated in the United States, a 3.3% increase from 2021. Nationally, 71.7% offered nondiagnostic ultrasounds, 28.0% advertised sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, 17.2% STI treatment, 6.8% HIV testing, and 3.8% unproven "abortion reversal" on-site. The total count of CPCs in 2024 was 230% greater in states with a grant program (95% confidence interval [CI] = 148%, 357%; P < .001), and the rate of newly identified and re-opened CPCs was 1.81 times (95% CI = 1.15, 2.84; P = .010) greater, adjusting for CPCs in 2021. Conclusions. Despite being largely unregulated and failing to adhere to medical and ethical practice standards, CPCs proliferated and posed risk nationally, particularly in states with CPC grant programs. Health professionals should educate themselves and their communities about local CPCs and risks. (Am J Public Health. 2025;115(6):924-935. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308055).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Crisis Intervention* / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • United States