Abortion providers are becoming few and far between
Reader Will sent me the following about the dwindling numbers of abortion providers. Look over these statistics: 87% of U.S. counties have no abortion provider, the number of abortion providers has dropped by more than a third in the past 20 years, the number of hospitals performing abortions has dropped by more than half…
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An abortion provider is simply a facility where abortions are performed. The important term is abortion clinics because “abortion provider” includes hospitals. Hospitals are not much of an option for an abortion. In other words, you do not walk in and schedule an elective abortion in a hospital.
So in Virginia, in 2000, there were 46 abortion providers (counting hospitals). Now, go look in your local phone books and see how few abortion clinics exist.
Ask yourself how many abortion clinics exist in your state.
Ask yourself whether only one doctor is serving more than one of those clinics.
Ask yourself how old that doctor is and how many more years he will continue.
These statistics are from the Guttmacher Institute:
Where Do Women Obtain Abortions?
Definition: An abortion provider is a facility where abortions are performed.
• In 2000, there were 1,819 abortion providers in the United States. This represents an 11% decrease from 1996, when there were 2,042 abortion providers. 33% of these providers were hospitals, 25% were abortion clinics (clinics where more than half of all patient visits were for abortion), 21% were clinics where fewer than half of all visits were for abortion, and 21% were private physicians’ offices. 71% of all abortions were provided at abortion clinics, 22% at other clinics, 5% at hospitals and 2% at private physicians’ offices.
• In 2000, there were 46 abortion providers in Virginia. This represents a 19% decrease from 1996, when there were 57 abortion providers.
• In 2000, 87% of U.S. counties had no abortion provider. 1/3 of American women lived in these counties, which meant they would have to travel outside their county to obtain an abortion. Of women obtaining abortions in 2000, 25% traveled at least 50 miles, and 8% traveled more than 100 miles.
• In 2000, 84% of Virginia counties had no abortion provider. 47% of Virginia women lived in these counties. In the South census region, where Virginia is located, 32% of women having abortions traveled at least 50 miles, and 10% traveled more than 100 miles.
• In Virginia, 1 metropolitan area lacks an abortion provider: Danville
More statistics (these are from the abortion access project). These are from 2003 and earlier. I suspect that the problem is much worse three years later:
Fact Sheet: The Shortage of Abortion Providers
• 87% of all U.S. counties and 97% of all rural U.S. counties have no abortion provider.1
• Since 1982, the number of abortion providers has decreased by 37%.1
• 58% of all OB/GYN doctors who provide abortions are 50 years of age or older. This means the number of providers will continue to decline as current providers reach retirement age, unless younger clinicians learn to perform abortions.2
• In 1983, 42% of all OB/GYN doctors performed abortions. In 1995, only 33% did. The overwhelming majority of abortions are performed by a small group of doctors: Only 2% of U.S. OB/GYN doctors perform more than 25 abortions per month.3
• 72% of OB/GYN residency programs do not train all residents in abortion procedures.4
• From 1982 to 2000, the number of hospitals providing abortions has decreased by 57%.1
• Only 15% of chief residents in family medicine residency programs have clinical experience providing first trimester abortions.3
• Abortion is a reproductive health care service that allows medical providers to refuse to participate in the care of a patient.5
• There have been 15,087 reported instances of violence and/or harassment against abortion providers since 1977, including 7 murders and 17 attempted murders (actual instances are most likely much higher.)5
• In 2000, more than half of all providers experienced anti-choice harassment.6
Sources:
1 S.K. Henshaw, “Abortion Incidence and Services in the United States, 2000,” Family Planning Perspectives, 35:1, Jan/Feb 2003.
2 Kaiser Family Foundation Fact Sheet, “Abortion in the U.S.” January 2003.
3 J. Hitt, “Who Will Do Abortions Here?”, New York Times, 1/18/98.
4 Almeling, et al. “Abortion Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Programs, 1998,” Family Planning Perspectives, 32(6) Nov/Dec 2000.
5 ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project,. “Religious Refusals and Reproductive Rights,” 2002.
6 S.K. Henshaw, “The Accessibility of Abortion Services In the United States, 2001,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 35:1, January/February 2003.
Statistics compiled June 2003
17 Responses to “Abortion providers are becoming few and far between”
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Violet says:
Will, do you have any statistics about male versus female abortion providers?
February 21st, 2006 at 3:11 pm EST -
will says:
Just anecdotal. I started looking for some, but I got busy with other stuff.
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manxome says:
I’ve seen some of these stats before, and they were depressing enough. Put all of them together, though, and it’s a bit mind-blowing trying to comprehend just how hard it has become to receive abortion care.
The clinic harrassment part always blows me away. I never had to face that in 1982. Heck, I don’t think I knew if it existed. While it would not have changed anything, I am glad that it was one less craptastic thing to face among the 10,000 other craptastic things taking place during that time in my life.
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Alon Levy says:
Do you think that the recent decrease in the number of abortions performed in the US is due to the decreasing availability of the procedure, or completely due to other factors, such as an increase in the use of contraception?
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will says:
VioletSocks:
I will try to find some more information regarding the gender of the doctors later today. If anyone else can find those statistics, more power to you.
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manxome says:
I’m having a heck of a time finding info on the “decrease in number of abortions” part. I haven’t found a good place yet that looks into the data along with addessing changes in data reporting and the effects of that. Without consistency or comprehensiveness, kinks would abound. Since stats aren’t my hobby, I only come up with more questions than answers as I search.
I can only go with my gut after scanning a few things. Abortions have not decreased nearly as much as number of providers have.
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will says:
Maybe that is because the doctors who do them are doing more of them. Then, when they retire, you have bigger problems.
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Violet says:
The AGI appears to be a good place for data:
http://www.guttmacher.org/medi.....11003.html
Particularly the two pdf journal articles on that page, which I just skimmed.
Bottom line: it’s hard to tease out the effect of fewer providers from other factors that have combined to reduce abortion (in no particular order):
1. Use of emergency contraception;
2. Greater use of effective contraception;
3. Decreased sexual activity among teens;
4. Less access to abortion providers;
5. Social attitudes towards abortion.It seems evident that the dearth of providers imposes a hardship on many women, especially in the South, but it’s harder to figure out how many abortions are actually prevented.
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will says:
I still havent done that research regarding gender. sorry. I was a little distracted today.
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Violet says:
No problem. What, you think you’re going to get spanked?
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will says:
one can only hope.
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Catharine says:
I’m so happy I live in California. If (when?) Roe v. Wade bites it, I’m moving to a country where some form of sanity prevails. Not sure where yet. Canada was looking good for a while, but since the last election… hmmmm….
Taking suggestions…
~C~
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will says:
I like you whether you have spectacular attributes or not.
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Violet says:
I have a new definition for meta-blogging: replying to a comment on one blog in another blog. It’s fun.
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will says:
I wont even tell you my visual image of you now.
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Violet says:
I wish you would! Tell you what, I’m about to put up a another map snapshot post; put it in there (as a comment, I mean).
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David says:
This is completely bogus. SD - what the hell are you doing?? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11546410/. Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee are supposedly next too.
