Disparities in abortion rates: A public health approach

C. Dehlendorf, L.H. Harris and T.A. Weitz

American Journal of Public Health, 2013, vol. 103, issue 10, 1772-1779

Abstract: Women of lower socioeconomic status and women of color in the United States have higher rates of abortion than women of higher socioeconomic status and White women. Opponents of abortion use these statistics to argue that abortion providers are exploiting women of color and low socioeconomic status, and thus, regulations are needed to protect women. This argument ignores the underlying causes of the disparities. As efforts to restrict abortion will have no effect on these underlying factors, and instead will only result in more women experiencing later abortions or having an unintended childbirth, they are likely to result in worsening health disparities. We provide a review of the causes of abortion disparities and argue for a multifaceted public health approach to address them.

Keywords: article; female; health care disparity; health disparity; health promotion; human; induced abortion; methodology; pregnancy; public health; sexual behavior; social class; United States; unplanned pregnancy; utilization review, Abortion, Induced; Female; Health Promotion; Health Status Disparities; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Public Health; Sexual Behavior; Social Class; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301339_6

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301339

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