A new report conducted for the Society of Family Planning indicates that the number of abortions performed each month has remained relatively consistent since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade over a year and a half ago. Despite the absence of a nationwide right to abortion, the report found that between 81,150 and 88,620 abortions took place each month from July through September of last year.
The study, known as the We Count report, highlights the resilience of abortion access despite legal challenges. The data suggests that even in the absence of Roe v. Wade, individuals continue to seek and obtain abortion care, with little change in overall abortion rates compared to before the landmark decision was overturned.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on the increasing role of telemedicine in providing abortion services. It found that prescriptions of abortion pills via telemedicine have become common, accounting for approximately one in every six abortions in the most recent three months of survey results. This trend underscores the importance of innovative approaches to expanding access to reproductive healthcare, particularly in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Alison Norris, a professor at Ohio State University’s College of Public Health and co-chair of the study, emphasized the ongoing need for abortion care, especially in the face of restrictive state policies. Norris stated, “Even when a state bans abortion, people continue to need and seek abortion care. We can’t let the overall consistent number of abortions nationally obscure the incredible unmet need and disastrous impact of abortion bans on people who already have the least access.”
The report serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and disparities in reproductive healthcare access across the United States. As debates over abortion rights continue to unfold, it is crucial to prioritise policies and initiatives that promote equitable access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare services for all individuals.
