Distance Traveled for Abortion at a North Carolina Tertiary Care Center Following Restrictive Legislation

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health Policy
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• North Carolina enacted 5 abortion restriction statutes between 2011 and 2016.
• Understanding the impact of these legislative changes on abortion access is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the proportion of women traveling over 25 miles for abortion care in 2011 versus 2017.
• To assess changes in travel distance and referral patterns before and after legislative restrictions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of women obtaining abortions at University of North Carolina hospitals in 2011 and 2017.
• Data collected on residence, demographics, gestational age, parity, and referral source.
• Primary outcome: distance traveled from residence to the study center.

Main Results:

• 72% of women traveled >25 miles in 2011, compared to 75% in 2017.
• A higher percentage traveled >100 miles in 2017 (26%) vs. 2011 (20%).
• Increased referrals from neighboring states and freestanding abortion clinics were observed in 2017.

Conclusions:

• Similar proportions of women traveled over 25 miles for abortion care before and after legislative changes.
• Increased travel distances and shifts in referral patterns indicate a geographical burden on abortion access.
• Findings highlight potential impacts of strict abortion restrictions on patient travel and access.