Trends in Non-Resident Abortion Rates in Illinois From 2001-2018

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• Abortion rates can be influenced by legislative changes and geographic accessibility.
• Understanding trends in both resident and non-resident procedures is crucial for assessing the impact of state-level policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in abortion rates for residents and non-residents in Illinois from 2001 to 2018.
• To compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of residents and non-residents obtaining abortions in Illinois.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Illinois Department of Public Health data for abortion records.
• Calculated resident and non-resident abortion rates per 1000 reproductive-age individuals.
• Employed binomial regression to model rate changes over time and chi-squared tests for demographic comparisons.

Main Results:

• The non-resident abortion rate increased significantly from 2001 to 2018 (0.61 to 0.82).
• The resident abortion rate showed no significant change during the study period.
• Non-residents were more likely to be older, have a later gestational age, and opt for medication abortion compared to residents.

Conclusions:

• The rise in non-resident abortion rates in Illinois suggests an impact from restrictive abortion legislation in surrounding states.
• These findings are critical for states aiming to support abortion access amidst evolving legal landscapes.