In a year marked by significant legal changes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data indicating a slight decrease in abortion rates across the United States in 2022, the year the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The CDC’s latest surveillance data reveals a minor 2% decline in the number of abortions performed in 2022 compared to the previous year. Specifically, the total number of abortions fell from approximately 622,000 in 2021 to 609,000 in 2022. Additionally, the abortion rate dropped by 3%, and the abortion ratio saw a reduction of 2%.
These figures come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, thereby transferring the authority to regulate abortion laws back to individual states. In response, numerous states, particularly those led by Republican governments, have implemented more restrictive abortion bans, albeit with exceptions for medical emergencies.
Despite these legal shifts, the data indicates that over 70% of the reported abortions were early medication abortions, conducted before the ninth week of pregnancy. This distribution remains largely consistent with the figures from prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The report further highlights that nearly 60% of women who obtained abortions had previously given birth. The CDC’s statistics include data from 47 U.S. areas, covering a period from 2013 to 2022, allowing for a comprehensive overview of trends over nearly a decade.
Political analyst Madeline Summerville provided insights on the impact of these legislative changes during a segment on LiveNOW from FOX. Meanwhile, voters in states such as Missouri, Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota have demonstrated a mixed response to abortion rights. In Missouri, legislative movements have commenced to dismantle strict abortion bans. However, similar constitutional amendments did not pass in Florida, Nebraska, or South Dakota, where restrictions remain in place.
Conversely, voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, and Nevada have approved amendments supporting abortion rights. Specifically, Nevada’s amendment will need reaffirmation in 2026 to take full effect. This varied state-level response illustrates the ongoing national debate over abortion rights post-Roe v. Wade.
The modest reduction in abortion numbers following the overturning of Roe v. Wade underscores the complexity of reproductive rights in the United States. As states continue to navigate their regulatory landscapes, the national conversation around abortion laws and access remains a topic of significant public and political concern. The data from the CDC serves as an important barometer of these changes.
Source: Fox13news
