2018 Abortion Report Demonstrates Ohio is Advancing a Culture of Life
Editor’s note. The following is adapted from a report from Ohio Right to Life.
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, the Ohio Department of Health released the 2018 Ohio Abortion Report, revealing a 2% decrease in the number of abortions from 2017 and a decrease of 31% over the last decade.
A total of 20,425 abortions were performed, marking the lowest number of abortions since 1976, when record-keeping first began. It follows a national trend as abortions continue a steady decline nationwide to their lowest numbers since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973.
“This report goes to show what we as a state already know: even as more Ohio women are rejecting abortion than ever before, much still needs to be done to protect life,” said Stephanie Ranade Krider, Vice President of Ohio Right to Life. “As we continue to promote a culture of life in Ohio, we are proud to be able to implement groundbreaking pro-life legislation that offers moms and babies real support and helps us grow healthy families and communities throughout Ohio. With the strong pro-life leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly, we have been able to continue to fight for the protection of the unborn with unprecedented success.”
Sadly, black women continue to be disproportionately affected by abortion, as 40% of abortions in Ohio performed in 2018 were performed on black women. Also concerning is the fact that over 600 abortions were performed on girls 17 years old and younger.
Ohio’s diverse pro-life movement should pause and reflect on today’s abortion report. The countless Ohioans who bring their pro-life beliefs into action by volunteering at pregnancy centers, sidewalk counseling, leading local right to life chapters and educating play a crucial role in continuing to lower the number of abortions in Ohio.
Since 2010, half of Ohio’s abortion facilities have been shuttered or closed voluntarily.
In the last nine years, Ohio Right to Life has successfully advocated for 22 pro-life initiatives which have been signed into law, including Ohio’s Heartbeat Protection Act which was signed earlier this year.
Currently, Ohio Right to Life is advocating in favor of the Unborn Child Dignity Act and the Abortion Pill Reversal Information Act which both seek to promote a culture that respects life, respects women, and rejects abortion.
“As Ohio’s vibrant pro-life movement advances the cause of life, the abortion industry continues to lose its grip on Ohio,” said Krider. “Ohio Right to Life will continue to advocate for the most vulnerable in our society until that day when abortion reports in our state will be unneeded and abortion itself unthinkable.”