Abortion surveillance--United States, 1990

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Demography

Background:

• Legal induced abortion numbers reported to the CDC have remained relatively stable since 1980, with annual variations not exceeding 5%.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize and review data on legal induced abortions obtained in 1990.
• To characterize the trends and demographics of women undergoing abortions.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of abortion data from 52 reporting areas (50 states, NYC, DC) by the CDC.
• Analysis of reported legal induced abortions for the year 1990.

Main Results:

• In 1990, 1,429,577 abortions were reported, a 2.4% increase from 1989.
• The 1990 abortion ratio was 345 per 1,000 live births, and the rate was 24 per 1,000 women aged 15-44.
• Most women were young, white, unmarried, and undergoing their first abortion, often before 13 weeks of gestation. Younger women had abortions later in pregnancy compared to older women.

Conclusions:

• The national abortion number and rate have been stable since 1980, but the abortion ratio has declined since 1984, reaching a low in 1990.
• Increasing childbearing rates may contribute to the declining abortion ratio.
• Complete data from all states are crucial for accurate characterization and for reducing abortion-related morbidity and mortality.