According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national abortion rate has plummeted over the course of the past decade, falling by 26 percent between 2006 and 2015 to its lowest point on record. Furthermore, between 2008 and 2011, the proportion of unplanned pregnancies fell by six percent in just three years.
Given the timing of these trends, many public health experts have attributed the falling abortion rate to recent improvements in contraceptive access.
Since the Affordable Care Act began requiring insurance companies to cover a wide range of birth control options in 2012, American women have gained far better access to effective, long-acting contraceptives such as IUDs and implants.
“Affordable access to the full range of contraception and family planning options is critical for people deciding if and when they’d like to become parents, develop their careers, plan for their futures and manage their health,” said Rachel Jones, principal research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute in a recent interview with CNN. “For women who become but do not want to remain pregnant, access to safe, legal abortion services remains critical.”
It’s also worth noting that the greatest decline in abortion rates between 2006 and 2015 occurred in adolescents. During this period, the rate of abortions in people aged 15-19 fell by a stunning 54 percent. This suggests that young people are becoming more informed about safe sex practices and contraceptive options as well.
At South Avenue Women’s services, we’re committed to providing a full range of family planning, abortion and contraceptive care services to our patients. To schedule a confidential appointment with one of our physicians, feel free to give us a call or contact us online today.