Denver, Colorado – Despite the recent wave of state abortion bans in the United States following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the number of abortions performed in the country saw only a marginal 2% decrease in 2022. This report, released by the CDC, sheds light on the state of abortion provision in the US post-Roe era, uncovering surprising trends in abortion rates.
In 2023, the Guttmacher Institute reported over 1 million abortions in the US, marking the highest number recorded in more than a decade. This increase in abortion rates presents a complex picture, with a stark contrast between states with restrictive abortion laws and those with more protective measures in place. This divergence in access to abortion services has had a significant impact on residents in different parts of the country.
The CDC report reveals that there were over 613,000 abortions performed in 2022, a slight drop from the previous year. The majority of abortions continued to take place within the first nine weeks of pregnancy, consistent with trends from the pre-Roe era. Women in their 20s made up a significant portion of abortion patients, with nearly 60% having had previous childbirth experiences.
However, the CDC data is not without limitations, as it does not include information from certain states like California, Maryland, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. This incomplete data, along with the absence of statistics on abortions outside the traditional healthcare system, points to gaps in our understanding of abortion trends in the US. Additionally, the availability of abortion pills through telemedicine has played a role in maintaining abortion rates, especially in states with restrictive laws.
The impact of near-total abortion bans in certain states is evident in the sharp decline in the number of abortions performed, while states viewed as “abortion havens” have seen an increase in abortion procedures. The dynamics of access to abortion care have led to a significant number of individuals crossing state lines to seek services, highlighting the lengths people are willing to go to access necessary healthcare.
As the landscape of abortion provision continues to evolve, questions remain about the sustainability of current support structures for abortion access. With funding for organizations that assist with abortion care dwindling, the future of abortion provision in the US remains uncertain. The intersections of policy, access, and individual healthcare decisions will continue to shape the landscape of reproductive rights in the country.