Abortion Surveillance - United States, 2013

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 U.S. 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 United States for 2013.
• To analyze trends in abortion rates and ratios from 2004 to 2013.

Main Methods:

• Data were collected from 49 reporting areas for 2013, with 47 areas providing consistent data from 2004-2013.
• Abortion rates and ratios were calculated using census and natality data.
• Trend analysis evaluated data from 47 reporting areas over the 2004-2013 period.

Main Results:

• In 2013, a total of 664,435 abortions were reported. The abortion rate was 12.5 per 1,000 women aged 15-44, and the ratio was 200 per 1,000 live births.
• From 2004 to 2013, the number, rate, and ratio of abortions decreased by 20%, 21%, and 17%, respectively, reaching historic lows in 2013.
• Women in their 20s accounted for the majority of abortions, while adolescents aged 15-19 experienced the most significant decrease in abortion rates (46%) from 2004-2013.

Conclusions:

• The consistent decline in abortion numbers, rates, and ratios from 2009-2013 resulted in historic lows.
• Data highlight that unintended pregnancy is a primary driver of abortion.
• Expanding access to effective contraception is recommended to further reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions.