Abortion Surveillance - United States, 2016

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.
• Surveillance data are crucial for understanding trends and characteristics of women seeking abortions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions in the United States for 2016.
• To analyze trends in abortion rates and ratios from 2007 to 2016.

Main Methods:

• Abortion data were collected from 48 reporting areas (states, District of Columbia, New York City) voluntarily providing information to the CDC.
• Trend analyses utilized data from 2007-2016, incorporating Census and natality data to calculate abortion rates and ratios.
• Demographic characteristics, gestational age, and method of abortion were analyzed for 2016.

Main Results:

• In 2016, 623,471 abortions were reported, with rates and ratios reaching historic lows for the 2007-2016 period.
• Abortion rates and numbers decreased from 2007 to 2016, with the most significant declines observed among adolescents.
• The majority of abortions in 2016 occurred among women in their 20s and at ≤8 weeks' gestation; early medical abortion was used in 27.9% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Decreases in abortion numbers, rates, and ratios indicate a significant trend towards lower abortion prevalence in the US.
• Identifying high-risk groups can aid program planners and policymakers.
• Increasing access to and use of effective contraception is recommended to further reduce unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions.