The Population Council tackles intersecting inequalities that undermine rights and access to contraception, HIV and STI prevention, maternal and newborn health, safe abortion, prevention and treatment of infertility, and sexuality education, among other sexual and reproductive health needs. Our research and partnerships ensure high quality, evidence-based, voluntary, and rights-based comprehensive care for sexual and reproductive health.

On the biomedical front, scientists at our Center for Biomedical Research (CBR) develop contraceptives, multipurpose prevention technologies, and other products that meet people’s diverse needs and lifestyles. CBR is the leading innovator of high quality sexual and reproductive health products that enhance safety and choice for individuals in the global market.

Recent highlights

  • Egypt: Integrating family planning into worker health and livelihood programs
  • Ghana: Documenting the perspectives of policymakers to improve HIV self-testing and national HIV programs
  • India: Scaling our Research and Analyses for Scientific Transformation and Advancement (RASTA) consortium to strengthen programs and policies on family planning and reproductive health
  • Nigeria: Launching the North, West, and Central Africa hub of FP2030 to support partners in over 30 countries with operational and technical assistance
  • East and Horn of Africa: Filling gaps in evidence to enhance sexual and reproductive health programming among vulnerable populations in refugee settings
  • NIH grant to develop the first non-hormonal vaginal ring to prevent pregnancy and HIV
  • Phase 2 clinical trial for the Nestorone®/Testosterone male contraceptive gel
  • Partnership with a nonprofit pharmaceutical firm on a dual prevention pill to prevent both pregnancy and HIV in a single tablet
  • Acquisition of the dapivirine ring and other HIV prevention technologies
  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant to assess the acceptability of Annovera® – a novel contraceptive vaginal ring – in several sub-Saharan African countries
  • 121 million

    unintended pregnancies occur each year

  • 61%

    of unintended pregnancies end in abortion worldwide and about 45% of abortions occur within unsafe conditions

  • 1 million+

    sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day

  • 48 to 180 million couples

    are impacted by infertility