Proximity of Crisis Pregnancy Centers to Colleges and Universities in the United States, 2021

Purpose

Since Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are known to target college and university (CU) students, the purpose of this analysis was to describe the spatial proximity between CUs and CPCs in the United States by driving distance.

Methods

Using 2021 data from CPC Map and the US Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System survey, we generated buffer zones around each public and private not-for-profit CU based on driving distance (miles) and examined CPC locations within each buffer. We calculated distances from each CU to the nearest CPC nationally and by state. We then calculated the total number and percentage of female undergraduate students enrolled in CUs with at least one CPC within 3 miles.

Results

A total of 2,546 CPCs and 3,391 CUs were included in the analyses. Nationally, the median driving distance to the nearest CPC was 3.5 miles. In 67% of states, the minimum driving distance to the nearest CPC was less than 0.5 miles. Most (51.5%) undergraduate women were enrolled in a CU with a CPC within 3 miles. Percentages of CUs with at least one CPC within 3 driving miles were highest among private-not-for-profit institutions, CUs with higher student enrollment, doctoral degree conferring CUs, and CUs located in the West South Central and Middle Atlantic subregions.

Discussion

CPCs were located in close proximity to CUs. Efforts to increase awareness about CPCs and their risks and assist students in finding quality sources of care and information may be warranted.