Introduction
Abortion is a highly contentious issue in the United States, with both sides of the debate holding strong beliefs about when and why it should be available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects and reports data on abortions in the United States, providing an objective source of information about abortion trends across the country. This article will examine the CDC’s data on abortion timing, offering insight into when most abortions occur in the U.S.
Overview of Abortion Statistics and Trends in the U.S.
According to the CDC, there were over 638,000 reported abortions in the United States in 2017. The majority of these abortions occurred early in the pregnancy, with nearly 60% of all abortions taking place at or before 8 weeks gestation. Around 28% of abortions occurred between 9 and 12 weeks gestation, while just 2.3% of abortions occurred after 20 weeks gestation.
The number of abortions has been declining since the 1980s, with the abortion rate reaching its lowest point in 2014, at 14.6 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years. Since then, the abortion rate has increased slightly, but remains lower than it was at its peak in 1981.
Examining Abortion Statistics and Trends in the U.S.: When Do Most Abortions Occur?
As noted above, most abortions in the U.S. occur early in the pregnancy. To better understand the timing of abortions, let’s take a closer look at the CDC data.
Understanding the Timing of Abortions: What Does the CDC Report?
The CDC reports abortion data by gestational age in weeks. The data show that the majority of abortions – 59.5% – take place at or before 8 weeks gestation. Around 28.3% of abortions occur between 9 and 12 weeks gestation, while 8.9% occur between 13 and 16 weeks gestation. Just 3.4% of abortions occur between 17 and 20 weeks gestation, and 2.3% occur after 20 weeks gestation.
Late-Term Abortions: What Do the CDC Data Tell Us?
The CDC data show that late-term abortions are relatively rare in the United States. Of the over 638,000 abortions reported in 2017, less than 7,500 – or 1.1% – took place after 20 weeks gestation. Of these late-term abortions, around 1,000 occurred after 24 weeks gestation, and fewer than 500 occurred after 28 weeks gestation.
Exploring the Reasons Behind the Timing of Abortions in the U.S.
Now that we have a better understanding of when most abortions occur in the U.S., we can explore some of the reasons behind the timing of abortions. In particular, we will investigate the impact of access to abortion services on timing of abortions, as well as analyzing the relationship between abortion timing and social factors in the U.S.
Investigating the Impact of Access to Abortion Services on Timing of Abortions
Access to abortion services is known to be a key factor influencing the timing of abortions. Women in states with restrictive abortion laws often face delays in accessing abortion care due to waiting periods, mandatory counseling, and other barriers. These delays can lead to later abortions, as women may not be able to travel to another state or pay for the procedure in time. Additionally, women who are unable to access abortion services due to cost or other restrictions may be more likely to seek late-term abortions, as they may not be aware of their options until later in the pregnancy.
Analyzing the Relationship Between Abortion Timing and Social Factors in the U.S.
In addition to access to abortion services, social factors such as poverty, education level, and race/ethnicity can also influence the timing of abortions. Studies have shown that women living in poverty are more likely to have abortions at a later gestational age, likely due to financial constraints and limited access to healthcare. Similarly, women with low levels of education are more likely to have late-term abortions, which suggests that lack of knowledge about reproductive health may be a contributing factor. Finally, racial disparities in abortion timing exist in the U.S., with black women more likely to have abortions at a later gestational age than white women.
Conclusion
This article has examined abortion statistics and trends in the U.S., focusing on when most abortions occur. According to the CDC data, the majority of abortions in the U.S. take place early in the pregnancy, with 59.5% occurring at or before 8 weeks gestation. Late-term abortions are relatively rare, accounting for just 1.1% of all abortions in 2017. Further investigation revealed that access to abortion services and social factors such as poverty, education level, and race/ethnicity can all influence the timing of abortions.
These findings have important implications for future research. Understanding the factors that influence abortion timing can help inform policies aimed at improving access to abortion services and reducing disparities in abortion care. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of late-term abortions on women’s health.
