The Quality of Abortion Care Depends on Where a Woman Lives
The Quality of Abortion Care Depends on Where a Woman Lives, Says One of Most Comprehensive Reviews of Research on Safety and Quality of Abortion Care in the U.S.
WASHINGTON -- While legal abortions in the U.S. are safe, the likelihood that women will receive the type of abortion services that best meet their needs varies considerably depending on where they live, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. In addition, the report notes, the vast majority of abortions can be provided safely in office-based settings.
The committee that wrote the report examined the scientific evidence on the safety and quality of the four abortion methods used in the U.S. -- medication, aspiration, dilation and evacuation (D&E), and induction. It assessed quality of care based on whether it is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable according to well-established standards. Most abortions in the U.S. are performed early in pregnancy; in 2014, 90 percent occurred by 12 weeks of gestation. Medication and aspiration abortions are the most common methods and, together, account for about 90 percent of all abortions. Serious complications from abortion are rare regardless of the method, and safety and quality are enhanced when the abortion is performed as early in pregnancy as possible.
Abortion-specific regulations in many states create barriers to safe and effective care. These regulations may prohibit qualified providers from performing abortions, misinform women of the risks of the procedures they are considering, or require medically unnecessary services and delay care, the report says. Examples of these policies include mandatory waiting periods, pre-abortion ultrasound, and a separate in-person counseling visit. Some states require abortion providers to provide women with written or verbal information suggesting that abortion increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer or mental illness, despite the lack of valid scientific evidence of increased risk.
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Wish all of our Countries important legislation was founded on sound scientific studies.
As do I. Unfortunately, it seems legislation is based more on emotion, ignorance, or personal beliefs than on sound science. And in the case of abortion, it is women who will suffer for it.
I am not particularly surprised, I think you may find that geographics play a role in the quality of all healthcare.
The claim being made here goes beyond quality, to deliberate misinformation and state regulations making abortions less safe. There is no excuse for this.
Completely agree Lennylynx.
Just goes to show how vindictive toward women those anti-choice State laws truly are.
Silver lining, (small silver lining), is that now there is a long overdue, statistical study, which can be used in cases brought before the Supreme Court, if need be, showing how a women's health IS being threatened because of some States laws.
Perhaps studies like this can be used to roll back some of the more onerous State laws that serve only to put women's health at risk.
Just another piece of the right wing attack on the American people. They can't even stand up against a traitor like Trump
I look at it this way. At Trump rallies there are women holding signs proclaiming "Women For Trump." What is the 'for---for?'
In other words, "Worship the fetus--the hell with the rest."
Dear Friend Arkansas Hermit: I join you and others in hoping for, and being willing to actively work for coverage on an equal quality basis where ever people live of any age, gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, economic status etc.
Great article my good friend.
A must read.
Your thumb on the pulse of what is in the best interests of all humanity, as always.
Peace and Abundant Blessings to Us All. And the Good Health to Enjoy Them.
Enoch.
Democratic values are Christian values.
Thanks Enoch, that's very kind of you to say but!?:
Come on friend, you're making me blush. ( smirk )
Truly a great article, Arkansas Hermit. A very interesting and enlightening read.
We are all children of the human race, no matter what our ethnic, religious or political background is, and should all be treated without prejudice or disrespect.
If people in our world practiced more Harmony and less Discrimination it would be a much better world for all of us. Mutual respect, tolerance and compassion for each other does not foment disharmony as much as hatred and discrimination. We are all of equal value in the eyes of the Creator, as it should be in the eyes of each of us.
It's obvious what we need. National minimum standards on abortion care. We need to take it out of the hands of the states on the type of care they provide for abortion to take away their incentive to provide sub-service care or to, as they often do, require absurd standards for the clinics structures and locations that they can not possibility meet, just to have an excuse to make it impossible for them to exist in the first place. Abortion is a national right according by the United States Supreme Court, not by state courts or state legislatures and it need to be governed by national law enforcement.
Excellent article AH.