2. Abortion trends across states
Between 2017 and 2020, abortion trends varied from state to state, and there were no clear patterns to explain why some states saw increases or decreases in abortions.
Some states, including Illinois, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, saw significant increases in abortions. Other states, such as Missouri, Oregon, and South Dakota, had significantly fewer abortions in 2020 compared to 2017.
Below, we highlight a few states and offer political contexts that may have influenced recent changes in abortion rates.
New York: The number of abortions increased by 5% from 2017 to 2020, but there were different dynamics over the three years. After a significant increase in 2017-2019, abortions declined by 6% in 2019-2020. New York was one of the first states affected by COVID-19 and one of the most brutal hits. At least 10% of clinics in the state reported that they suspended or stopped providing abortion services in 2020.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, various abortion restrictions were imposed at the state level, resulting in lower utilization of services and delayed time for abortion. Other factors related to the pandemic may also have affected the receipt of abortion services, potentially exacerbating existing barriers to care.