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Show Induced Abortions Compiled by Dan Bergantz 2000 Utah Abortions: 3,279 Although induced abortions are legal in the United States, they are a topic of constant political and social controversy. Induced abortions were legalized in the United States in 1973 by the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision. Induced abortions may cause both physical and emotional distress for patients, and are thus a concern for many who are involved in women's health. Abortions are expressed in rates per 1,000 females 15 to 44 years of age and in ratios per 1,000 live births. Both the abortion rate and ratio have been consistently far below the yearly rate and ratio of the U.S. In both Utah and the U.S., the abortion rate and ratio have continued to decline during the past twenty years. This may be partially due to the increased effectiveness of contraceptive methods during this time period. In Utah, abortion rates and ratios are highest among unmarried women between the ages of 20 and 24. In 2000, the abortion ratio among married women was only 15.4, whereas the abortion ratio among unmarried women was 325.4. Table 49. Induced Abortion Rate and Ratio, Utah and U.S., 1980-2000. Utah U.S. Year Rate3 Ratio Rate8 Ratio 1980 11.2 91.4 29.3 428.0 1981 10.2 86.6 29.3 430.0 1982 10.5 91.6 28.8 428.0 1983 9.7 90.9 28.5 436.0 1984 10.3 101.3 28.1 423.0 1985 10.4 104.9 28.0 422.0 1986 10.9 114.3 27.4 416.0 1987 10.9 118.8 27.1 405.0 1988 10.7 115.1 27.3 401.0 1989 11.0 121.1 26.8 380.0 1990 10.5 114.7 27.4 389.0 1991 9.2 104.4 26.3 379.0 1992 8.3 94.8 25.9 380.0 1993 8.3 97.6 25.4 378.0 1994 7.3 86.3 24.1 364.0 1995 7.1 83.2 22.9 351.0 1996 6.9 78.3 22.9 351.0 1997 6.5 73.0 22.2 340.0 1998 6.6 71.7 N/A N/A 1999 6.3 68.3 N/A N/A 2000 6.2 69.3 N/A N/A aRate: abortions per 1,000 females 15-44 years of age. bRatio: abortions per 1,000 live births. 03 or 35 - ------------Utah ----------U.S. 30- -----------________ 25 - "~~ ¦- «^ _^ 20- 15 -10 - 5 - 0 - 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 Year Figure 33. Abortion Rate (per 1,000 females 15-44 years of age), Utah and U.S., 1980-2000. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2002). 2001 Statistical Abstract of the United States. [Online] http://www.census.gov/statab/www/. Retrieved 04/16/02. Utah Department of Health. Center for Health Data. Office of Vital Records and Statistics (2001). Utah's Vital Statistics, Abortions, 2000. Salt Lake City: Government Printing Office. Utah's Health: An Annual Review Volume VIII 89 |