Number Of Abortions In Wisconsin Lowest On Record In 2007

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 03 Jul 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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The number of abortions in Wisconsin declined for the fourth year in a row in 2007, marking the lowest recorded number since the state began tracking abortions in 1974, according to a report by the state Department of Health and Family Services, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The report found that the number of abortions in the state has steadily dropped since peaking at 21,754 in 1980 (Aquino, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/30). It also found that abortions decreased 14% from 9,580 in 2006 to 8,267 in 2007 (AP/Chicago Tribune, 6/30). The Journal Sentinel reports that Wisconsin's estimated rate of abortion in 2007 was seven abortions per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44. The national rate for the group was 16 abortions per 1,000 women in 2004, the most recent data available (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/30).

According to the AP/ Tribune, both abortion rights supporters and opponents were pleased with the latest decline (AP/Chicago Tribune, 6/30). Lisa Boyce, vice president of public affairs at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said, the reduction is reflective of PPWI's work to increase access to birth control and information for women who want to prevent pregnancy. "Because (emergency contraception) became much more widely available in 2007, we're seeing the promise of what it means to be able to reduce more unplanned pregnancies and abortion through wide access" to EC, Boyce said. Barbara Lyons, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, attributed the decline to the group's education efforts, including advertisements and support of informed consent laws (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/30).

Minnesota Reports Decline in Abortion Numbers

In related news, the Minnesota Health Department reported that the number of abortions performed in the state dropped slightly in 2007 compared with 2006, the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. According to the department, 13,843 abortions were performed in the state in 2007, of which 12,770 involved Minnesota residents. In 2006, the state recorded 14,065 abortions (AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press, 7/1).

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