Number Of Abortions In Ohio Lowest Since 1976, Health Department Report Finds

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 29 Oct 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The number of abortions performed in Ohio decreased by 4% in 2008 to 29,613 procedures, the state's lowest level since it began keeping statistics in 1976, according to an annual Department of Health report, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The report found that abortion procedures among women ages 18 and younger have declined by about 35% over the past 10 years. Since 1997, abortions among white women have dropped by 30%, while the number of procedures has decreased by 10% for black women. Overall, the number of abortions has declined by nearly 25% since 1976, with the sharpest declines occurring among teenagers and white women.

According to the Dispatch, the report does not suggest why the number of abortions has dropped. Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said that it is difficult to speculate on possible reasons based on the report's statistics. She said that the decline could be the result of fewer unintended pregnancies, or because of the difficulties some Ohio residents face in obtaining abortion services. For example, 91% of Ohio counties do not have an abortion provider. In addition, state law mandates a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion, requiring her to make two separate visits to a doctor's office, Copeland said. The antiabortion-rights group Ohio Right to Life said efforts to promote adoption and other alternatives could be reasons for the drop in abortions (Candisky, Columbus Dispatch, 10/27).

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