Contraception and Induced Abortion as Minority Health Disparities

Abstract

With an unintended pregnancy rate of over 50% in the United States and with 40% of those unintended pregnancies being terminated via an induced abortion, it is easy to see that abortion is an important medical procedure with numerous social and political implications for both women and men. In addition, public health research has consistently shown persistent minority health disparities with respect to abortion utilization, contraception use, and unintended pregnancy rates in women of color in the United States. It is impossible to talk about abortion use without talking about contraceptive use. They are inseparable entities in the realm of understanding of why women seek out abortions. Knowledge of the current state of abortion and contraception access in the United States is critical to health providers and women if the goal is to decrease the rate of unintended pregnancy, and minority health disparities are an integral part of that goal. A basic understanding of the physiology underlying contraception, therefore, can help to inform opinions, and better evidence-based and less polarized, violent debate between the pro-life and pro-choice sides can better inform policy and access surrounding this important issue.