In 2024, the number of abortions in the United States saw a rise, despite bans and restrictions in many states. The latest report from the WeCount project of the Society of Family Planning revealed that women are finding ways to access abortions, even after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, marking nearly 50 years of legal abortion nationally for most of pregnancy.
Currently, 12 states have enforced bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, while four states have bans that take effect at or around six weeks into pregnancy – often before women are aware of their pregnancy. Despite these restrictions, the total number of abortions has gradually increased over the past three years, with some states reporting near-zero numbers, while the use of abortion pills obtained through telehealth appointments has become more prevalent across the country.
Pills are now the primary method used in the majority of abortions, with telehealth appointments accounting for a significant portion of these procedures. The WeCount data showed that the number of abortions accessed through telehealth increased significantly in the last three months of 2024, with approximately one in four abortions being facilitated through telehealth.
Anti-abortion efforts are focusing on restricting access to pills, along with efforts to bar federal funds for organizations like Planned Parenthood and undoing ballot measures that support abortion access. Some states have filed lawsuits to limit telehealth prescriptions of mifepristone, one of the drugs commonly used in medication abortions. President Donald Trump’s administration recently stated that these states may not have legal standing to challenge these prescriptions in court.
In Louisiana, criminal laws are being used to target abortion providers, while efforts in Texas are aimed at imposing civil penalties on doctors prescribing abortion pills to women in their states. SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser emphasized the need to investigate the safety of abortion pills and require in-person dispensing of these medications.
Overall, while the number of abortions in the U.S. has risen in 2024, it remains below historic highs recorded in the late 1990s. The Society of Family Planning relies on surveys of abortion providers and estimates to compile their data, providing valuable insights into the landscape of abortion access in the country.
