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The rate of abortions in the United States saw an increase in 2024, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a report by #WeCount, a research initiative from the Society of Family Planning. The report, published shortly before the third anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, indicated that there were approximately 1.14 million abortions performed by licensed providers in 2024. This represents an increase from 1.06 million in 2023.
A notable finding from the report was that telehealth facilitated 25% of these abortions in 2024, up significantly from just 5% in 2022. Dr. Alison Norris, co-chair of #WeCount and professor at The Ohio State University’s College of Public Health, commented on these findings: “The #WeCount findings make clear that abortion bans haven’t stopped people from seeking care.” She further explained that as access shifts across state lines and into telehealth services, a fragmented system emerges where access depends on location, financial means, and ability to overcome barriers.
The annual report is based on data submitted by abortion providers and focuses on procedures conducted by licensed clinicians within the healthcare system. It does not include attempts to end pregnancies outside formal healthcare settings or self-managed procedures.
Catholic leaders welcomed the Dobbs decision for allowing states more freedom to protect unborn children. Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo emphasized this sentiment in a statement released on June 16: “The battle for life is far from over” post-Dobbs.
Interestingly, #WeCount's tally aligns with estimates from a May study by the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI), which opposes abortion and estimated at least 1.1 million annual abortions in the U.S. Mia Steupert, CLI research associate and author of their study, noted: “Abortion reporting provides key insight into how laws affect abortion numbers.”
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America affiliated with CLI, acknowledged the rise in abortions as a "wakeup call" for Congress to restrict Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding: “Fueled by our taxpayer dollars, Big Abortion led by Planned Parenthood is undermining states’ ability to protect babies.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded its highest U.S. abortion rates in the early 1990s at about 1.4 million.
Kate Scanlon reports nationally for OSV News covering Washington and can be followed on X @kgscanlon.
