Finer LB, et al. - A new measure, the unintended pregnancy risk index (UPRI) was described. The measure is based primarily on attitudinal and behavioral measures of women's prospective pregnancy desire. Researchers also compared the new measure to the unintended pregnancy rate, typically calculated retrospectively. As per observations, the UPRI is suggested to have utility as a new measure. It can be calculated with existing national surveillance data or for any population for which data on prospective pregnancy desire, pregnancy risk and contraceptive use are available. Changes in the use of any contraceptive method, the methods used, and the effectiveness of the methods used all contributed to the decline in the UPRI. The sufficiency of retrospective measures of pregnancy intention has been questioned and the requirement of surveillance of the unintended pregnancy rate is suggested by the available data.