The Ohio Department of Health recently released abortion statistics from 2022 in a new statewide report. Although the number of preborn child deaths is down, far too many are still happening. And even more may occur if Issue 1 prevails next week.
Of course, even one abortion is too many.
Last year, Ohio saw a total of 18,488 induced pregnancy terminations, which is a 15% decrease from 2021. The data reveals that 93% of these procedures were obtained by Ohio resident women.
The percentage of abortions among women under 20 years old decreased to 8.2%, with 29.5% involving women between 20 and 24 years old.
In addition, the report provides insights into the marital status and racial demographics of women seeking abortions. Approximately 81.5% of women who obtained abortions in Ohio were never married, divorced, or widowed, highlighting the importance of promoting healthy relationships and family structures.
The data also reveals a decrease in abortions involving pregnancies of 19 or more weeks, indicating a growing awareness about the value of life at all stages of development.
In 2022, doctors used curettage in 42% of abortions. This is a significant drop from 2001 when 87% of unborn children's deaths were caused by this method. Instead, more women opted for medicines like mifepristone (8,966 cases), misoprostol (3,997 cases), or methotrexate (seven cases) to end their pregnancies.
Curettage involves scraping the uterine lining to remove tissue and was once very common, but now fewer women choose it because there are different methods available.
Peter Range, chief executive officer of Ohio Right to Life, put a spotlight on how the decline in abortions in 2022 directly correlates with Ohio's Heartbeat law being in effect from June to September.
This insight is critical to understanding what's at stake for Ohio's Issue 1 vote November 7, which would expand abortion access in the Buckeye State.
"Ohio's most innocent face a new threat with Issue 1 that would legalize abortion through all nine months of pregnancy," Range said.
"Not only that, Issue 1 would eliminate a parent's right to know whether or not their underage child is considering an abortion,” he said. “These changes to Ohio law would skyrocket the number of abortions in Ohio. We urge all people of goodwill to vote no on Issue 1 this November to protect children from abortion and ensure parents still have rights when it comes to the lives of their children."
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As reported earlier by Pregnancy Help News, Issue 1 is worth examining closely. A number of pro-abortion people are spreading confusing information. It is vital to know that miscarriage care in Ohio will not change. But guess what will? Abortion on demand throughout pregnancy could become legal if Issue 1 passes.
The head of the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the U.S. weighed in on the efforts of abortion proponents to normalize the procedure and the potential danger at hand via Issue 1 for women and children.
"The law is a teacher. Unfortunately, the contrived "right to abortion" created by Roe v. Wade taught a generation to expect abortion to be available,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International.
“Before and since the demise of Roe, common sense constraints on abortion were widely accepted,” Godsey said. “Now, through efforts like Issue 1 in Ohio, the abortion industry is wanting to make all abortions acceptable, no matter the stage of development, the motivation, or the method.”
“Indeed, these same bad actors are making abortion less safe for women and more accessible to traffickers and domestic abusers,” he noted. “Women deserve better from our government, our Constitution, our judiciary, and our politicians."
Tweet This: "Unfortunately, the contrived "right to abortion" created by Roe v. Wade taught a generation to expect abortion to be available.”
Ohio's Attorney General Dave Yost has tried to clear up the confusion. He explained that Issue 1 won't affect miscarriage care, which has never been restricted in Ohio. Also, if Issue 1 passes, several existing abortion restrictions in Ohio, such as the Heartbeat Act and laws against certain abortion procedures, would be wiped out.
Furthermore, parents might lose their right to make decisions about their minor child's reproductive medical choices if pro-choice voters prevail here. Some pro-abortion groups are spreading misleading information about these facts, causing confusion and angst among voters.
But one thing is clear and beyond debate, abortions will skyrocket. The data proves pro-life laws are saving the lives of preborn children. A future annual report from the Ohio Department of Health could share some grim realities if Issue 1 becomes law.
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
