Behavioral science has the power to catalyze progress across the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) sector. Over the last decade, our Global Health team has worked on more than 250 projects in over 30 low-and middle-income countries applying behavioral science to programs across the ecosystem. From reducing provider bias during contraceptive counseling to boosting male engagement around contraceptive use, the need for behavioral science to drive the sector forward is clear.

Despite our successes, women’s opportunity to choose when and how they’d like to start or grow their families continues to be challenged worldwide. So, in order to effectively help women avoid unintended pregnancies, we must work smarter. To reflect on our work thus far and prepare for the future of family planning access, we spoke with key stakeholders across the ecosystem and together have started to build out five bold ideas for how behavioral science can advance sexual and reproductive health right now:

1. Embrace complexity in cross-cutting themes. 

Global health has historically operated in silos, often divided by health areas. Yet many challenges have drivers that cut across areas, such as resiliency, community empowerment, and social accountability—themes which often underfunded because they are hard to measure. Behavioral scientists, however, can bring a unique lens to de-mystify these complex, cross-cutting themes by distilling vast literature and practical experience into actionable and measurable programmatic pathways tied to funder priorities. Data generated can clarify and refine these pathways and their impact on other outcomes. Behavioral insights can also be used to develop new programs as we gain more evidence.

Read the full article about reproductive and sexual health at ideas42.