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

To describe trends in resident and non-resident abortion rates in Illinois between 2001 and 2018.

Using Illinois Department of Public Health data, we calculated the resident abortion rate (abortions obtained by Illinois residents per 1000 reproductive age Illinois residents) and the non-resident abortion rate (abortions obtained in Illinois by non-residents per 1000 reproductive age residents of contiguous states). We modeled the relationship between abortion rate and time from 2001 to 2018 using binomial regression. We compared change in abortion rates and clinical and demographic characteristics using chi-squared tests.

The non-resident abortion rate increased from 0.61 in 2001 to 0.82 in 2018 (p = 0.04), versus no significant change in the resident abortion rate (p = 0.18). In the secondary analysis, the non-resident abortion rate decreased from 0.61 in 2001 to 0.46 in 2013 (p < 0.001), versus no significant change in the resident abortion rate (p = 0.07). The non-resident abortion rate increased from 0.43 in 2014 to 0.82 in 2018 (p < 0.001), versus no significant change in the resident abortion rate (p = 0.58). Non-residents were more likely to be 25 years or older (64.2% vs. 61.6%, p < 0.001), be 16 weeks gestational age or greater (7.6% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), and obtain a medication abortion (45.4% medication vs. 39.1% procedural, p < 0.001) than Illinois residents.

Non-resident abortion rates in Illinois increased from 2001 to 2018, coinciding with passage of restrictive abortion legislation in neighboring states. Understanding past trends is critical, as supportive states plan for additional restrictions on abortion access.