New York Times: Prevention Works!
A recent New York Times editorial reflected on the decline in the abortion rate across the United States, drawing data from the Guttmacher Institute’s 14th census of abortion providers. The Times agrees with Planned Parenthood’s longstanding position that, if more were done to prevent unintended pregnancy, the U.S. abortion rate would be even lower.
Singling out states that have the largest declines in abortion rates — California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia — the Times made a direct correlation between a decline in the abortion rate and the state’s commitment to comprehensive sexuality education, concluding
The lesson: prevention works. Restrictions on abortion serve mainly to hurt poor women by postponing abortions until later in pregnancy.
The Times further maintained that a national focus on improving access to contraception would continue to lower the abortion rate. The overwhelming message is clear. Preventing unintended pregnancies reduces the need for abortion. That's why Planned Parenthood is committed to science-based education and prevention practices that help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and improve women's health.
Published: 01.29.08
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