Some more good news from the Centre for Disease Control. I asked Dr. Michael J. New, a statistician specializing in pro-life issues, what the new data means. His take:
Once again, the CDC decided to release updated abortion data on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving.
The good news is the America’s abortion decline continues. Between 2016 and 2018 there has been a 2.5 percent decline in the U.S. abortion rate and a 1.4 percent decline in the number of abortions performed (among continuously reporting areas).
The decline was widespread. Of the 45 states that reported abortion data in 2016 and 2018 — 29 saw their abortion rates decline.
Since 2009, there has been a 24.2 percent decline in the abortion rate and a 21.8 percent decline in the number of abortions performed. The U.S. abortion rate has declined by over 50% since 1980. An important reason for the decline is because a higher percentage of unintended pregnancies are being carried to term. This nicely shows that pro-life legislative, service, and educational efforts have been effective.
While we all obsess about politics, it is important to remember that there is no replacement for boots-on-the-ground pro-life work. That is how minds are changed, that is how lives are saved, and ultimately, that is how public policy is achieved.
