Skip to main content

Guttmacher Institute

Donate Now

Highlights

  • COVID-19 impact
  • IPSRH: Focus on Abortion
  • Adding It Up
  • Guttmacher-Lancet Commission
  • U.S. policy resources
  • State policy resources
  • State legislation tracker

Reports

  • Global
  • U.S.

Articles

  • Global research
  • U.S. research
  • Policy analysis
  • Guttmacher Policy Review
  • Op-eds & external blogs

Fact Sheets

  • Global
  • U.S.
  • U.S. State Laws and Policies

Data & Visualizations

  • Data center
  • Infographics

Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Global

  • Abortion
  • Contraception
  • HIV & STIs
  • Pregnancy
  • Teens

U.S.

  • Abortion
  • Contraception
  • HIV & STIs
  • Pregnancy
  • Teens

Our Work By Geography

  • Global
  • Asia
  • Latin America & the Caribbean
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • United States

Who We Are

  • About us
  • Staff
  • Board
  • Job opportunities
  • History
  • Contact

Media

  • Media office
  • News releases

Support Our Work

  • Make a gift today
  • Monthly Giving Circle
  • Guttmacher Guardians
  • Donate stock or securites
  • Guttmacher Legacy Circle
  • Financials
  • Annual Report

Awards and Scholarships

  • Darroch Award
  • Richards Scholarship

Search form

Good reproductive health policy starts with credible research

 

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Email
Guttmacher Institute

Good reproductive health policy starts with credible research

 

Donate Now

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Email

Highlights

  • COVID-19 impact
  • IPSRH: Focus on Abortion
  • Adding It Up
  • Guttmacher-Lancet Commission
  • U.S. policy resources
  • State policy resources
  • State legislation tracker

Reports

  • Global
  • U.S.

Articles

  • Global research
  • U.S. research
  • Policy analysis
  • Guttmacher Policy Review
  • Op-eds & external blogs

Fact Sheets

  • Global
  • U.S.
  • U.S. State Laws and Policies

Data & Visualizations

  • Data center
  • Infographics

Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Global

  • Abortion
  • Contraception
  • HIV & STIs
  • Pregnancy
  • Teens

U.S.

  • Abortion
  • Contraception
  • HIV & STIs
  • Pregnancy
  • Teens

Our Work By Geography

  • Global
  • Asia
  • Latin America & the Caribbean
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • United States

Who We Are

  • About us
  • Staff
  • Board
  • Job opportunities
  • History
  • Contact

Media

  • Media office
  • News releases

Support Our Work

  • Make a gift today
  • Monthly Giving Circle
  • Guttmacher Guardians
  • Donate stock or securites
  • Guttmacher Legacy Circle
  • Financials
  • Annual Report

Awards and Scholarships

  • Darroch Award
  • Richards Scholarship

Search form

Claim that Most Abortion Clinics Are Located in Black or Hispanic Neighborhoods Is False

Guttmacher Advisory, Updated June 2014

Background

Antiabortion activists often claim that most abortion clinics are located in predominantly black or Hispanic neighborhoods. However, this claim—offered as supposed proof that abortion providers “target” minority women—is false.

Key findings

  • About six in 10 abortion providers are located in neighborhoods where more than half of residents are white.
  • Fewer than one in 10 abortion providers are located in neighborhoods where more than half of residents are black.
  • Some 13% of abortion providers are located in neighborhoods where more than half of residents are Hispanic.

Definitions

This analysis categorizes abortion providers in two ways to offer the most comprehensive overview possible:

  • “All” comprises all 1,720 providers known to provide abortion care in 2011
  • “400+” comprises the 576 abortion providers that provided 400 or more abortions in 2011 (these facilities accounted for 33% of all providers and 92% of all abortions in 2011)

Methodology

Using the results of its most recent census of all known abortion providers in the United States, Guttmacher examined the racial and ethnic makeup of neighborhoods in which abortion providers were located in 2011 (the most recent year for which data are available). Neighborhood characteristics are based on information for each U.S. zip code from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey.

For further context

Abortion and Women of Color: The Bigger Picture

Health Disparities: More Context for Higher Unintended Pregnancy and Abortion Rates Among Women of Color

THIS CAN'T WAIT

Stand up for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We need you now.

Donate
Guttmacher Institute
Reproductive rights are under attack. Will you help us fight back with facts?
Donate Now
Follow Guttmacher:

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Footer Menu

  • Privacy Policy
© 2021 Guttmacher Institute. The Guttmacher Institute is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the tax identification number 13-2890727. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable.

Get Our Updates