34-Year Low for Abortion Rates in Nation

Abortion rates have hit a 34-year low, and neither the pro-choice nor the pro-life lobby can explain why, according to a Newsweek article.

The Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive-health research organization, released a report last week showing that in 2005 the abortion rate dipped to 19.4 per 1,000 women, its lowest level since 1974.

The rate of abortions performed in the United States has been dropping steadily since 1981. But the report, using the most recent statistics available, is far more complicated than the statistics suggest. Has the trend continued because of increased access to birth control? Decreased access to abortion clinics? New medications to terminate pregnancy? Or are more women simply choosing to give birth?

Rachel Jones, an author of the report, said any of these factors could be at work. "We just aren't able to get at the reasons behind the decline," she said.

Here's the link:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/94822

Here's a related story that focuses on state restrictions to abortion:
http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=272870