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Abortion surveillance--United States, 2008
Karen Pazol1, Suzanne B Zane, Wilda Y Parker
1Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries (Washington, D.C. : 2002)
|November 24, 2011
Summary
The number and rate of legal induced abortions remained stable from 2007 to 2008, but the abortion ratio increased. Data from 1999-2008 show shifts in abortion rates by age group and increased use of early medical abortion.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health Surveillance
- Demography
Background:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has monitored legal induced abortions in the United States since 1969.
- Surveillance data are crucial for understanding reproductive health trends and informing public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions in the U.S. during 1999-2008.
- To analyze trends in abortion rates, ratios, gestational age, and methods.
Main Methods:
- Abortion data were collected from 52 reporting areas (states, District of Columbia, New York City) annually.
- Data from 45 consistently reporting areas (1999-2008) were used for trend analysis.
- Abortion rates and ratios were calculated using U.S. Census and natality data.
Main Results:
- In 2008, 808,528 abortions were reported by 45 areas, with a rate of 16.0 per 1,000 women (15-44 years) and a ratio of 234 per 1,000 live births.
- Abortion numbers and rates were stable from 2007-2008, but the ratio increased 1%. Rates decreased 3-4% since 1999.
- Women aged 20-29 had the highest rates; adolescents (15-19) had the highest ratios. Early medical abortion use increased 17% from 2007-2008.
Conclusions:
- The stabilization of abortion rates suggests a leveling off after previous decreases, potentially indicating stalled efforts in unintended pregnancy prevention.
- The increasing abortion ratio warrants further investigation into contributing factors.
- Reported deaths related to legal induced abortions remain rare, with six deaths reported in 2007.
