Not that this was ever in any serious doubt, but now there is actual data published in The Lancet showing that
abortion restrictions increase the number of abortions:
In 2015–19, there were 121.0 million unintended pregnancies annually (80% uncertainty interval [UI] 112.8–131.5), corresponding to a global rate of 64 unintended pregnancies (UI 60–70) per 1000 women aged 15–49 years. 61% (58–63) of unintended pregnancies ended in abortion (totalling 73.3 million abortions annually [66.7–82.0]), corresponding to a global abortion rate of 39 abortions (36–44) per 1000 women aged 15–49 years. Using World Bank income groups, we found an inverse relationship between unintended pregnancy and income, whereas abortion rates varied non-monotonically across groups. In countries where abortion was restricted, the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion had increased compared with the proportion for 1990–94, and the unintended pregnancy rates were higher than in countries where abortion was broadly legal.
Interpretation
Between 1990–94 and 2015–19, the global unintended pregnancy rate has declined, whereas the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion has increased. As a result, the global average abortion rate in 2015–19 was roughly equal to the estimates for 1990–94. Our findings suggest that people in high-income countries have better access to sexual and reproductive health care than those in low-income countries. Our findings indicate that individuals seek abortion even in settings where it is restricted. These findings emphasise [sic] the importance of ensuring access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception and abortion care, and for additional investment towards equity in health-care services.
Of course this will not sway those who are opposed to abortions because they don't really care about abortions at all. They care about
punishing women for being sexually promiscuous, a goal which is well-served by making abortions illegal, and all those additional aborted babies be damned.
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ReplyDeleteI don't think that means what you think it means
ReplyDelete@Ron:
>Not that this was ever in any serious doubt, but now there is actual data published in The Lancet showing that abortion restrictions increase the number of abortions:
In countries where abortion was restricted, the proportion of unintended pregnancies ending in abortion had increased compared with the proportion for 1990–94,
You are confusing a change in the proportion with the proportion itself.
The data presented in Table 2 of the study you cite shows that the abortion rate (proportion) is lower in countries where abortion is restricted compared to countries where it is broadly legal.
and the unintended pregnancy rates were higher than in countries where abortion was broadly legal.
This is surprising to you?
Of course this will not sway those who are opposed to abortions because they don't really care about abortions at all. They care about punishing women for being sexually promiscuous,
So, you're a mind-reader now?