Maria Gallo, PhD, discusses high attendance at crisis pregnancy centers
New research shows up to 17% of reproductive-aged women visit crisis pregnancy centers, raising alarms over misinformation and lack of regulation.
In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Maria Gallo, PhD, professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discussed her research on trends in women's use of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs).
The study, conducted across 4 US states, found that CPC attendance among adult women aged 18 to 44 years ranged from 9% in New Jersey to 17% in Arizona. These findings are significant because they confirm that visiting CPCs is not a rare occurrence, a point further supported by an earlier study in Ohio showing 14% attendance. Importantly, Gallo emphasized that her team used representative sampling, allowing the results to be generalized to the broader population of reproductive-aged women in those states.
CPCs, while increasingly funded by state governments—with over $513 million allocated between 2021 and 2024—operate with little oversight. They are not regulated health clinics, lack financial transparency, and are not required to follow privacy laws such as HIPAA. Consequently, there has been uncertainty about whether these centers are actively used, which Gallo’s research helps clarify.
Looking forward, Gallo noted that it's unclear how CPC attendance might change in response to increasing abortion restrictions. On one hand, more women may turn to CPCs for support during unintended pregnancies. On the other hand, concerns about privacy and the unregulated nature of CPCs might deter women from seeking services there.
Another area of concern is misinformation. Gallo cited research showing that CPCs frequently disseminate inaccurate health information. Many receive training from umbrella organizations that promote falsehoods, such as claims that contraception leads to infertility. Interviews with CPC staff revealed that this misinformation is commonly shared with clients, potentially influencing their understanding of reproductive health in harmful ways.
To counteract this, Gallo urged clinicians and public health professionals to ensure that patients receive evidence-based, unbiased, and comprehensive reproductive health information. She warned that patients may not even realize they have visited a CPC because of deceptive practices. Therefore, health care providers should sensitively inquire about prior care sources and be prepared to correct any misinformation patients may have received. Ultimately, Gallo emphasized that legitimate health care should prioritize patient-centered, stigma-free, scientifically accurate counseling.
No relevant disclosures.
Reference
Yang TJK, Smith MH, Kavanaugh ML, Ricks JM, Gallo MF. Prevalence of crisis pregnancy center attendance among women in four US states. PLOS One. 2025. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0324228
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