Abortion Rates are Increasing + Other Headlines

Tuesday Digest (12.31.24)

Despite Bans, Abortions Have Become More Common

Despite outright bans and significant restrictions in red states, abortion rates have actually increased overall in the United States—even after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs ruling two and a half years ago.

The Associated Press reports that, while abortions in the states with bans dropped to zero, more women are getting abortions in states where it is legal:

Overturning Roe and enforcing abortion bans has changed how woman obtain abortions in the U.S.

But one thing it hasn’t done is put a dent in the number of abortions being obtained.

There have been slightly more monthly abortions across the country recently than there were in the months leading up to the June 2022 ruling, even as the number in states with bans dropped to near zero.

The Dobbs decision has changed how women access abortions, but unfortunately is not preventing abortions from happening.