New Research on Abortion
from The Alan Guttmacher Institute

Emergency Contraception (EC) Played Key Role in Abortion Rate Declines
A substantial proportion of the 11% decline in abortion rates between 1994 and 2000 was due to women's use of emergency contraception, according to a new analysis of contraceptive use among more than 10,000 U.S. women having abortions in 2000-2001. Forty-six percent of women surveyed were not using a contraceptive method in the month in which they became pregnant, whereas 54% were using a method.
• For the news release
• For the full article, Contraceptive Use Among U.S. Women Having Abortions in 2000-2001"
• To schedule an interview e-mail rwind@guttmacher.org (or call 212-248-1953)

For more information on Emergency Contraception
• What is emergency contraception, and how do we know it prevented up to 51,000 abortions?
• Emergency Contraception: The Need To Increase Public Awareness
• Emergency Contraception: Steps Being Taken to Improve Access

U.S. Abortion Rates Continue to Decline, Especially Among Teens
The overall abortion rate in the United States decreased by 11% between 1994 and 2000, from 24 to 21 abortions each year per 1,000 women aged 15-44. This decline was not shared equally among all groups, and rates increased among economically disadvantaged women.
• For the news release
• For the full article, "Patterns in the Socioeconomic Characteristics of Women Obtaining Abortions in 2000-2001"
• To schedule and interview e-mail rwind@guttmacher.org (or call 212-248-1953)

For additional resources on abortion:
• Facts in Brief: Induced Abortion
• An Overview of Abortion in the United States

Coming in January:
• The latest, most comprehensive information on numbers of abortions, abortion rates, abortion providers and barriers to abortion
• Trends in Abortion in the United States, 1973-2000
• State-by-State Trends in Abortion in the United States