Access To Abortion

The Facts:

Internationally, access to safe abortion services is constrained, raising significant public health concerns for women:

Globally:

While safe abortion services are available in the U.S., women struggle to find access to prevention or care.

In the United States:

87% of U.S. counties have no abortion provider;

Nearly 1 in 4 women travel over 50 miles for a provider;

8% travel more than 100 miles;

Nearly 60% of ob/gyns performing abortions are over the age of 50.

What Can Be Done:

  • Ensure women around the world have access to safe and legal abortion.
  • Implement provisions of existing international agreements, such as the ICPD Programme of Action:

“All Governments and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are urged to strengthen their commitment to women’s health, to deal with the health impact of unsafe abortion as a major public health concern and to reduce the recourse to abortion through expanded and improved family planning services.

Expert Resources:

Abortion Access Project

ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project

The Guttmacher Institute

Association of Reproductive Health Professionals

Center for Reproductive Rights

Ipas

Medical Students for Choice

National Abortion Federation

Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Reproductive Health Access Project

Women on Waves