The CDC's annual report cadence always analyzes data gathered from two years prior. It uses data voluntarily submitted by state health departments across the country. Not all states collect or report data to the CDC, but the statistics are still useful to show trends within the abortion industry. California, Maryland, and New Hampshire have not reported data since 1998.
The latest report shows an increase of over 5,000 abortions from 2020 to 2021. This comes despite not containing statistics from New Jersey, which reported almost 23,000 abortions in 2020.
According to the report, there were 11.6 abortions for every thousand women of reproductive age (15-44). That is the highest number since 2015 when the statistic was 11.8.
Additionally, the report found that there were 204 abortions for every thousand live births. This is the highest number since 2012 when the statistic was 207.
Over 90% of abortions occurred during the first trimester. 44.8% occurred at six weeks or less. Additionally, 56% of all abortions are completed via the abortion pill regimen.
Other notable statistics showed that black women chose abortion at roughly four times the rate of white women, and 87.3% of all women who chose abortion were unmarried.
This report does not reflect any changes resulting from the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June of 2022. Future reports will hopefully show that this groundbreaking decision saved thousands of unborn children from abortion.
At the same time, abortion tourism and pro-abortion ballot initiatives can undercut this victory and cause more deaths. Pro-life advocates need to be active in both political and cultural spaces so that women and families are excited and empowered to choose life.