Abortion Rates on the Rise: A Closer Look at the Influence of Abortion Pills
Recent findings highlight a significant uptrend in abortion numbers, attributing much of this increase to the widespread use of abortion pills. The Charlotte Lozier Institute, an extension of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, released a comprehensive study on June 9, detailing the impact of Planned Parenthood and chemical abortions over the years.
The study, published in the Fortune Journal of Health Sciences, examined abortion data dating back to 1999. It particularly highlighted the contributions of Planned Parenthood facilities and the growing role of chemical abortions in the overall abortion landscape.
Planned Parenthood’s share of abortion procedures has grown markedly. From accounting for 13.9% of abortions in 1999, the organization was responsible for 38.8% of such procedures by 2023. This growth is part of a broader trend, with total abortions performed by Planned Parenthood rising from 182,792 in 1999 to 402,230 in 2023—a 120% increase. Meanwhile, other facilities saw a 44% drop in abortion numbers over the same period, from 1,131,988 to 634,770.
Overall abortion numbers reached their peak in 1999 but have seen fluctuations. After declining post-2008 to a low of 862,320 in 2017, they rose again, recording 1,037,000 abortions in 2023. The study suggests that the increased availability and use of mifepristone, a key abortion pill, is closely linked to this resurgence. Since its FDA approval in 2000, the use of chemical abortions has grown from making up 5% of all abortions in 2001 to 63% in 2023.
This shift is attributed to several FDA decisions, such as extending the use of abortion pills to 10 weeks of pregnancy, allowing non-doctors to prescribe it, and easing reporting requirements for adverse events. Furthermore, 2021 and 2023 policy changes allowing mail delivery and pharmacy dispensing of the pill have solidified its prevalence.
Charlotte Lozier Institute Vice President James Studnicki, who led the study, remarked, “Planned Parenthood has transformed itself into the dominant provider of abortion in the United States.” He continued, “Their strategic pivot toward abortion, coupled with the rise of abortion drugs, has fundamentally reshaped the abortion landscape.”
The timing of the report coincides with a review by the Trump administration of the abortion pill, prompted by findings from the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Their report indicated a 10.7% rate of adverse effects among women using the pill, much higher than previously reported by FDA clinical trials. Adverse effects include severe complications like sepsis and hemorrhaging.
It’s important to note that the current study only includes data for one full year following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which led to increased state-level restrictions on abortion. While some states saw declining abortion rates due to new laws, the widespread access to abortion pills mitigated these declines.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
