The number of abortions in the U.S. has once again increased in 2024, despite bans and restrictions in many states. According to a report from the WeCount project of the Society of Family Planning, which supports abortion access, there were approximately 1.1 million abortions nationwide last year, averaging about 95,000 per month. This is a gradual increase from previous years, with the numbers rising steadily since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade three years ago.
Currently, 12 states have enforced bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, while four states have bans that kick in at around six weeks into pregnancy, often before women even realize they are pregnant. Despite these restrictions, women are finding ways to access abortions, with pills obtained through telehealth appointments becoming more common in nearly all states.
The use of pills in abortions has become the majority method, with pills now accounting for one-fourth of all abortions in the U.S. The WeCount project found that the number of telehealth abortions has significantly increased, especially after laws were enacted in some Democratic-controlled states to protect medical professionals who prescribe pills through telehealth in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Anti-abortion efforts are now focusing on restricting access to pills, along with efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and overturn ballot measures that support abortion access. Some states have sued to limit telehealth prescriptions of mifepristone, one of the drugs used in medication abortions. President Donald Trump’s administration has stated that these states may not have legal standing to make their case.
In Louisiana, officials are using criminal laws to restrict access to abortion pills, while there is an effort in Texas to impose civil penalties on doctors who prescribe these pills to women in their states. SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser has expressed the importance of investigating the safety of abortion pills and advocating for them to be dispensed only in person.
Despite these challenges, the overall number of abortions in the U.S. remains below historic highs, with the Society of Family Planning relying on surveys of abortion providers to estimate the numbers. The WeCount project serves as a valuable source of information on abortion trends in the U.S., providing insight into the changing landscape of abortion access in the country.
