
Oct 05, 2012
A study published Thursday in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that providing free birth control dramatically reduced the number of abortions in Missouri women and teenagers at high risk of unplanned pregnancies.
The study by Washington University in St. Louis found the reduction in abortion rates to be 62 percent to 78 percent over the national rate.
If the program were expanded, one abortion could be prevented for every 79 to 137 women given a free contraceptive choice, the Associated Pressreported.
"The impact of providing no-cost birth control was far greater than we expected in terms of unintended pregnancies," lead author Jeff Peipert, MD, PhD, the Robert J. Terry Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said in a release from Washington University in St. Louis. "We think improving access to birth control, particularly IUDs and implants, coupled with education on the most effective methods has the potential to significantly decrease the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in this country."
The Contraceptive Choice Project included nearly 10,000 women and adolescents--between 14 and 45 years old--in the St. Louis area between 2007 and 2011. They were counseled about and given their choice of birth control methods.
"From 2008 to 2010, annual abortion rates among study participants ranged from 4.4 to 7.5 per 1,000 women," according to the university release. "This is a substantial drop (62 percent to 78 percent) over the national rate of 19.6 abortions per 1,000 women in 2008, the latest year for which figures are available."
Piepert said the results of the study demonstrate that the rate of unintended pregnancy can be reduced, and is the key to reducing the number of abortions in the United States.
"Women's health specialists said the study foreshadows the potential impact of the new health care reform law, in which millions of women are beginning to get contraceptives without a co-payment," The New York Timessaid
"It's just an amazing improvement," Dr. James T. Breeden, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told the Associated Press. "I would think if you were against abortions, you would be 100 percent for contraception access."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
A study published Thursday in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that providing free birth control dramatically reduced the number of abortions in Missouri women and teenagers at high risk of unplanned pregnancies.
The study by Washington University in St. Louis found the reduction in abortion rates to be 62 percent to 78 percent over the national rate.
If the program were expanded, one abortion could be prevented for every 79 to 137 women given a free contraceptive choice, the Associated Pressreported.
"The impact of providing no-cost birth control was far greater than we expected in terms of unintended pregnancies," lead author Jeff Peipert, MD, PhD, the Robert J. Terry Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said in a release from Washington University in St. Louis. "We think improving access to birth control, particularly IUDs and implants, coupled with education on the most effective methods has the potential to significantly decrease the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in this country."
The Contraceptive Choice Project included nearly 10,000 women and adolescents--between 14 and 45 years old--in the St. Louis area between 2007 and 2011. They were counseled about and given their choice of birth control methods.
"From 2008 to 2010, annual abortion rates among study participants ranged from 4.4 to 7.5 per 1,000 women," according to the university release. "This is a substantial drop (62 percent to 78 percent) over the national rate of 19.6 abortions per 1,000 women in 2008, the latest year for which figures are available."
Piepert said the results of the study demonstrate that the rate of unintended pregnancy can be reduced, and is the key to reducing the number of abortions in the United States.
"Women's health specialists said the study foreshadows the potential impact of the new health care reform law, in which millions of women are beginning to get contraceptives without a co-payment," The New York Timessaid
"It's just an amazing improvement," Dr. James T. Breeden, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told the Associated Press. "I would think if you were against abortions, you would be 100 percent for contraception access."
A study published Thursday in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that providing free birth control dramatically reduced the number of abortions in Missouri women and teenagers at high risk of unplanned pregnancies.
The study by Washington University in St. Louis found the reduction in abortion rates to be 62 percent to 78 percent over the national rate.
If the program were expanded, one abortion could be prevented for every 79 to 137 women given a free contraceptive choice, the Associated Pressreported.
"The impact of providing no-cost birth control was far greater than we expected in terms of unintended pregnancies," lead author Jeff Peipert, MD, PhD, the Robert J. Terry Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said in a release from Washington University in St. Louis. "We think improving access to birth control, particularly IUDs and implants, coupled with education on the most effective methods has the potential to significantly decrease the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in this country."
The Contraceptive Choice Project included nearly 10,000 women and adolescents--between 14 and 45 years old--in the St. Louis area between 2007 and 2011. They were counseled about and given their choice of birth control methods.
"From 2008 to 2010, annual abortion rates among study participants ranged from 4.4 to 7.5 per 1,000 women," according to the university release. "This is a substantial drop (62 percent to 78 percent) over the national rate of 19.6 abortions per 1,000 women in 2008, the latest year for which figures are available."
Piepert said the results of the study demonstrate that the rate of unintended pregnancy can be reduced, and is the key to reducing the number of abortions in the United States.
"Women's health specialists said the study foreshadows the potential impact of the new health care reform law, in which millions of women are beginning to get contraceptives without a co-payment," The New York Timessaid
"It's just an amazing improvement," Dr. James T. Breeden, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told the Associated Press. "I would think if you were against abortions, you would be 100 percent for contraception access."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.