"U.S. abortion rate in 2011 lowest since 1973, study says" [View all]

[applegrove]

U.S. abortion rate in 2011 lowest since 1973, study says


By Saba Hamedy at the LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-us-abortion-rate-20140202,0,1839693.story#axzz2sDx3x7AL

"SNIP...................................



In all, there were about 1.1 million abortions in 2011, down 13% from 2008, according to the report, which is to be published in March. A greater percentage were early abortions, often induced with medication.

Rachel Jones, lead author of the study, suggested that the decline in abortions "coincided with a steep national drop in overall pregnancy and birth rates."

"Contraceptive use improved during this period, as more women and couples were using highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, such as the IUD," she said in a statement. "Moreover, the recent recession led many women and couples to avoid or delay pregnancy and childbearing."

Jones noted that the period studied, 2008 to 2011, predates a surge of state laws restricting abortion access that have been passed by Republican-controlled legislatures. The number of abortion providers declined by 4% between 2008 and 2011, and the number of clinics by 1%, Jones said, but there is no evidence to suggest the lower abortion rate is a result of that drop.



..................................SNIP"