Demands for family planning information and services will only continue to grow. Family planning is needed to save children's lives. The pattern of childbearing is closely related to child survival. In particular, short birth intervals significantly increase the likelihood of infant and child mortality. A study by Shea Rutstein of Macro International showed that eliminating short birth intervals could save 1.4 million lives per year in India alone.
Family planning is needed to save women's lives.
Approximately 585,000 women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth each year. Many more experience serious and long lasting complications from pregnancy.