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A deeper look at abortion numbers in Minnesota

Jul 9, 2013

By Dave Andrusko

Teens+choose+lifeLast week we ran a first look at the latest abortion statistics from Minnesota (“2012 Minnesota Abortion Report shows more women turning away from abortion”). But there were many additional parts to the number besides the obvious positive developments—that the state’s total had dropped to the lowest number in 37 years (10,701) and that abortions on minors (17 and under) were down 59% since 1998. Here are a few, starting with additional details about abortion and minor girls.

· In 2012 Abortions performed on minors were down 9.4% to 403, representing just 3.8% of all abortions in the state. This is the smallest number since Minnesota began recording minor abortions in 1975. Moreover abortions on minors have dropped 83 percent since their peak in 1980.

· As our affiliate, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) explained, “With few exceptions, abortions performed on minors have been declining annually since 1987. In 2006, abortions on minors spiked 16% after Planned Parenthood opened two feeder clinics in Twin Cities suburbs and marketed its services to minors.”

· According to the state’s Abortion Report, abortions declined 3.3% (from 11,071 to 10,701) —a total of 370. About half of that was because of the decline in teen abortions.

· The abortion rate fell to its lowest since 1974–9.3/1,000 females age 15-44.

· The 2012 report shows that among the 13,233 women who received Woman’s Right to Know information while considering abortion, more than 2,600 rejected abortion and made a life-giving decision to give birth to their children. It also shows a continued decrease in abortions since the Positive Alternatives Act took effect in July 2006, providing grants to programs that offer practical help and support to women in need. ”Most women don’t want to abort their unborn babies, and this report is further evidence that the greater the access women are given to factual information and abortion alternatives, the fewer of them resort to abortion,” said MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach. “MCCL has always been focused on empowering women to choose life, and our efforts are clearly working.”

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· On the negative side, Planned Parenthood’s lethal footprint was everywhere. “Planned Parenthood performed an average of more than 10 abortions every day in 2012, for a total of 3,919, “MCCL explained. “The provider performed 36.6% of all abortions, performing more than 1,700 more than the next largest provider. It has been the state’s largest abortionist since 2004, and increased its abortions by 8.6% last year even as the state total decreased.”

· Chemical abortions continue to increase—their percentage jumped from 19.7% in 2011 to 25% in 2012.

· Repeat abortions. More than 40 percent of abortions in 2011 were performed on women who had undergone at least one prior abortion; 99 women had six or more previous abortions.

· Disproportionate impact. The report also shows that African Americans remain a target of the abortion industry. They represent just 5 percent of the state’s population, yet 23 percent of abortions were performed on African Americans.