Abortion surveillance - United States, 2011

Area of Science:

• Public Health Surveillance
• Reproductive Health Statistics

Background:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has monitored legal induced abortions in the United States since 1969.
• Abortion surveillance is 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. for 2011.
• To analyze trends in abortion rates and ratios from 2002 to 2011.
• To identify demographic factors associated with abortion.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 49 reporting areas for 2011, with 46 areas providing consistent data from 2002-2011.
• Calculated abortion rates per 1,000 women and abortion ratios per 1,000 live births using Census and natality data.
• Analyzed demographic data, including age, and gestational age at the time of abortion.

Main Results:

• A total of 730,322 abortions were reported in 2011, reaching historic lows for the 2002-2011 period.
• Abortion rates and ratios decreased significantly from 2010 to 2011 and over the 2002-2011 decade.
• Women in their 20s accounted for the majority of abortions, while adolescents aged 15-19 showed the largest percentage decrease in abortion rates.

Conclusions:

• Large decreases in abortion numbers, rates, and ratios from 2010-2011 led to historic lows.
• Unintended pregnancy is a primary driver of abortion; improving access to effective contraception is key to further reduction.
• Data can guide prevention efforts by identifying at-risk populations for unintended pregnancies.