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Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery
Published on: February 3, 2026
Patient-Reported Experiences of Abortion Travel
Tuyet-Mai H Hoang1, Ainslee Wong2, Hannah Baines1
1School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana.
JAMA Network Open
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Abortion travelers face significant structural, logistical, and emotional challenges due to state bans and misinformation. Addressing medical distrust and improving access are crucial for equitable reproductive healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology of Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Illinois serves as a key destination for abortion care for individuals traveling from restrictive Midwestern and Southern states.
- Understanding the experiences of these traveling patients is essential to identify and reduce healthcare access barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of out-of-state individuals traveling to Illinois for abortion care.
- To identify the structural, logistical, and emotional challenges faced by abortion travelers.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study employing purposeful sampling recruited 208 participants from two abortion clinics in Illinois.
- Data were collected through interviews conducted between November 2024 and August 2025.
- Reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine participants' experiences and barriers to care.
Main Results:
- Participants traveled from Midwestern and Southern states, with a majority identifying as Black (61.54%).
- Abortion travel was necessitated by state abortion bans and widespread misinformation, exacerbating medical distrust, particularly among Black women.
- Participants reported significant structural, logistical, and emotional challenges during their travel for care.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the need for coordinated care, trusted resources, equitable funding, and mental health support for abortion travelers.
- Addressing biased care for Black women, combating misinformation, and reducing abortion stigma are critical policy and advocacy priorities.
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