CDC's most recent info on Abortions

[Jiperly]

The CDC keeps checks on how many abortions are done, the age of which they are done at, ect, although it takes some time it seems to tally them. The most recent info came out in Dec. 2004 about 2001's stats.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5309a1.htm

Points of interest:

-This is based on 49 reporting areas- 47 states, District of Columbia, and New York City- Alaska, California, and New Hampshire did not report, and their information was not estimated. Luckly, they did not report in years past, so it does not alter the tabulation. None the less, these areas represent 90% of reported preceedures.

- 853,485 legal induced abortions were reported to CDC for 2001

- There was a 0.5% decrease in Abortions in 2001

- There were 246 abortions for every 1000 live births in these reporting areas("Abortion Ratio")

- This represents a 0.4% increase in the abortion ratio

- For the 49 reporting areas, the abortion rate remained relatively constant during 1997--2001.

-82% of abortions are done in unmarried relationships.

-55% of abortions are done in by white women

-52% of abortions are done by people under 25 years of age.

-59% were performed at less than 8 weeks' gestation

-88% at less than 13 weeks gestation

-For most states, the legal limit is 8-12 weeks gestation without legal consent

-Since 1992, there has been a steady increase in abortions under 6 weeks gestation

-4.3% at 16--20 weeks

-1.4% at over 21 weeks

- In 2000, 11 women died as a result of complications from known legal induced abortion. No deaths were associated with known illegal abortion. This is seen as acceptable, as it is less than 1 death per 100,000 abortions(don't even say it Pro-lifers- you know its the woman I'm refering to)

- Commonly(although not in the link), 1% or less of abortions are due to rape or incest.

[devist8me]

Interesting stats. I stay out of abortion debates because I feel its each individuals choice. I was surprised the death rate for illegal abortions wasn't higher since I associate that with back alley coat hanger and crack doctors performing them.

[Jiperly]

well, they have to be reported- just because they are not reported doesn't mean they don't happen.....

[john8pies]

Nobody knows what these poor women must be thinking when they are about to have one.