(ConservativeSense.com) – Abortion figures have increased in the United States since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. The Society of Family Planning’s “We Count” project notes that the national numbers have defied expectations and risen despite near-total bans in several states. Ushma Upadhyay of the University of California, who leads the “We Count” research, said the team was shocked to realize the numbers rise month on month.
Figures show there are on average 86,000 abortions every month in the US, compared to 82,000 per month before the Roe v Wade decision. The largest increases were recorded in Florida, California, and Illinois. Notably, around 19% of abortions are now classified as “telehealth” abortions, meaning they are carried after an online consultation and with pills received via post.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for abortion two decades ago and their use exploded during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, the agency confirmed it would make its temporary mail-out approval permanent. Mifepristone, which can be used up to the tenth week of pregnancy, causes abortion and treats subsequent symptoms. Proponents laud it as a provider of free choice to women in remote areas, but opponents say it puts lives at risk.
Some states, however, ban Mifepristone, and a related legal battle is ongoing. A group known as the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine filed a lawsuit against the FDA in 2022, arguing it should not have approved the drug. The matter reached the US Supreme Court in March, where reports indicate that the Justices appeared to agree that the Alliance lacked standing – including those who overturned Roe in 2022.
Meanwhile, a study by the University of Utah has disclosed that the percentage of men under 30 seeking vasectomies has jumped from 6.2 to 9.8 since 2022. The rise is linked to the prohibition of abortion, research shows, and the result is consistent with similar studies conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and Boston University.
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