This handbook is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) four cornerstones of family planning guidance.

Together, the four cornerstones support the safe and effective provision and use of family planning methods.

The first two cornerstones provide policy-makers and program managers with recommendations that can be used to establish or update national guidelines and program policies. The 'Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use' (3rd edition, 2004) provides guidance on whether people with certain medical conditions can safely and effectively use specific contraceptive methods.

The 'Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use' (2nd edition, 2005) answers specific questions about how to use various contraceptive methods. Both sets of guidance come from expert Working Group meetings convened by WHO.

The third cornerstone, the 'Decision-Making Tool for Family Planning Clients and Providers', incorporates the guidance of the first two cornerstones and reflects evidence on how best to meet clients’ family planning needs. It is intended for use during counselling.

The tool leads the provider and client through a structured yet tailored process that facilitates choosing and using a family planning method.

The 'Decision-Making Tool' also helps to guide return visits.

As the fourth cornerstone, 'Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers' offers technical information to help health care providers deliver family planning methods appropriately and effectively. A thorough reference guide, the handbook provides specific guidance on 20 family planning methods and addresses many of providers’ different needs, from correcting misunderstandings to managing side effects.

Like the 'Decision-Making Tool', this handbook incorporates the guidance of the first two cornerstones. It also covers related health issues that may arise in the context of family planning.

The four cornerstones can be found on the WHO Web site at http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/family_planning/.