Unveiling the New Year's Link

In a groundbreaking study conducted by Brandon Wagner, associate professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at Texas Tech University, and Kelly Cleland, executive director of the American Society for Emergency Contraception. The duo has discovered a notable surge in emergency contraception sales following New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations in the United States. The study spans the years 2016 to 2022 and focuses on traditional retail outlets, shedding light on a unique pattern in reproductive health trends. 

The research discovered a significant uptick in the sales of emergency contraception with an increase of 0.63 units per 1,000 women aged 15-44 after the New Year holiday. This surge suggests heightened risks of unprotected vaginal intercourse during this period, setting it apart from other holidays. Similar, albeit lesser, increases in emergency contraception sales were observed after Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and U.S. Independence Day, emphasizing the holiday-specific nature of these trends. 

The findings point to a unique combination of risk factors during New Year's celebrations, including increased sexual behavior, reduced contraception use, elevated rates of sexual assault and potential limitations in contraception accessibility. 

The study underscores the importance of addressing these factors to develop effective prevention strategies and improve contraception access during holiday periods. Potential interventions include same-day appointments for long-acting contraceptives, increased condom availability and encouragement of over-the-counter oral contraceptive pills.

In collaboration, Wagner and Cleland emphasize the need for understanding holiday-related risks for unprotected intercourse, stressing the research not only focuses on New Year's celebrations but also lays the groundwork for exploring interventions during other holidays with similar risk profiles. 

Wagner and Cleland's paper is highlighted in the Christmas Issue of the renowned medical journal, The BMJ. Read the full findings in the journal by clicking here.