Guttmacher Institute

Great news: A Michigan judge blocked restrictions impeding people's access to abortion care—including a 24-hour forced waiting period and limits on which qualified health professionals can provide care. Michigan has now moved to Very Protective on our interactive map. The judge cited the 2022 ballot measure enshrining reproductive freedom in the Michigan state constitution as a basis for the decision. The block is temporary for now, but this is a huge win for Michiganders. Constitutional amendments are critical to expanding care. Explore our interactive map to view abortion policies in every state, or try our new policy filter to see which other states have constitutional protections for abortion rights: https://gu.tt/4985P4S 💪

Last week at the UN, we joined a conversation convened by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to discuss progress on women’s sexual and reproductive agency in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Onikepe Owolabi, our Director of International Research, spoke about our latest research approaches, highlighting the crucial role of person-centered data in advancing sexual & reproductive health outcomes for all people. For example, accounting for women’s expressed desires can unmask nuanced reasons for not using a contraceptive method. Intent, choice and satisfaction become important factors in understanding and supporting people’s health behaviors. Inclusive, accurate representations of people’s lived experiences are key to empowering people to define their well-being and achieve bodily autonomy. Watch the full video from the UN High-Level Political Forum side event: https://lnkd.in/gd547hPc #SRHR #HLPF2024 #SDG5 #Agenda2030 #ReproductiveAgency

As the US abortion rate rises, the number of brick-and-mortar abortion clinics is declining. Our new data shows a 5% decrease in brick-and mortar facilities between 2020 and March 2024. This decrease included clinics in the 14 states with total abortion bans, which were forced to stop providing abortion care after the Dobbs decision. Some of these clinics moved to states where abortion remained legal, while others closed or limited their services. Even with the increasing availability of medication abortion using online-only clinics, brick-and-mortar clinics remain crucial sources of abortion care. These clinics accounted for more than 80% of clinician-provided abortions in 2023. This study considered physical facilities specializing in abortion or sexual and reproductive health care more broadly, as well as hospital-affiliated outpatient facilities and physicians’ offices providing more than 400 abortions per year to be brick-and-mortar clinics. Everyone deserves abortion access in their community, no matter what. Learn more: https://gu.tt/3XXQbHE

The 2024 legislative sessions are slowing down for the summer, but our experts are still closely tracking the latest sexual and reproductive health provisions. Here's our latest as of July 5☝️ In major state policy news, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld its six-week ban. The Iowa ban could go into effect as soon as mid-July. The additional restrictions already in effect in IA will make accessing an abortion in that timeframe almost impossible. Most enacted abortion restrictions so far this year focus on funding anti-abortion centers, through direct funding or tax credits. Florida leads with $29.5M, with 8 other states also allocating funds. These centers provide misinformation to prevent & delay abortion care. In terms of policies that protect and expand SRHR care: - 7 states expanded access to STI/HIV screening, treatment and prevention (AZ, CA, DE, HI, IL, LA, NJ) - 4 states expanded funding & insurance coverage of doula care (CO, DE, NJ, MO) - 6 states expanded funding and services for prenatal and pregnancy care (AZ, FL, LA, NJ, MO, RI). Explore US state abortion policies: https://lnkd.in/grATGV5b

Reliable, inclusive data are vital for advocates and decision-makers to prioritize people who have been marginalized in the delivery of health care. We know that gaps in data perpetuate inequities for adolescents and young people, LGBTQ+ communities and people displaced by humanitarian crises, among others. Governments must invest in research and data collection that represent the full picture of people’s experiences. At Guttmacher, our collaborative research across countries helps to generate and improve critical data and evidence to help us understand fertility, contraceptive use, unintended pregnancies, maternal mortality and other reproductive health trends globally. See how our research can inform investments in sexual and reproductive health services to be responsive to people’s needs in low- and middle-income countries: https://lnkd.in/dTY5ptc2

This week in the US House, a federal funding bill that cuts crucial support for sexual and reproductive health care remains under consideration. This bill includes the harmful Hyde and Weldon amendments and poison pill riders attacking Title X, gender affirming care and more. Congress must stop this bill from advancing in order to prevent further damage to reproductive freedom nationwide. What you need to know ⬇

Last Friday, Iowa’s Supreme Court upheld the state’s 6-week abortion ban, a devastating violation of Iowans' bodily autonomy. The ban could go into effect in as few as 21 days after the decision. Six weeks is often before many people even know they're pregnant. With existing restrictions, accessing an abortion in this timeframe is nearly impossible. 🚨 Abortion seekers from Iowa are already traveling to states like Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska. With abortion further restricted in Iowa, travel to these states may increase, putting additional strain on abortion funds and clinics specifically in IL and MN. No one should have to travel for essential health care. Everyone deserves abortion access in their community. Full stop. Donating to abortion funds like Iowa Abortion Access Fund, Midwest Access Coalition, and the Emma Goldman Clinic Fund is one way to support people’s access to care. Read more about the ruling: https://gu.tt/4bw5muy

LGBTQ+ people need high-quality and affordable abortion care. Data from our Abortion Patient Survey show that a substantial number of LGBTQ+ individuals in the US seek and obtain abortions: As many as 16% of abortion patients don't identify as cisgender or heterosexual women. But LGBTQ+ people face unique obstacles to abortion access. There are also widespread attacks on the health and rights of LGBTQ+ communities, particularly anti-trans legislation targeting gender-affirming care for young people. The introduction of these bills has ramped up since Roe was overturned, alongside abortion bans in many US states. No matter how someone identifies, everyone should be able to get an abortion when they want or need it. We must break down the barriers that prevent LGBTQ+ people from getting the care they deserve. Learn more: https://gu.tt/3IP8JAZ #Pride #PrideMonth #LGBTQHealth

For too long, LGBTQ+ health has been treated as separate from sexual and reproductive health care. Yet, they are inextricably linked because both involve individuals’ autonomy in decisions about their lives, bodies and well-being. No matter someone's gender expression, identity or sexual orientation, all LGBTQ+ people deserve inclusive and culturally competent health services. This includes contraception, abortion and gender-affirming care. Health care policies and systems should reflect these needs. During Pride Month and every day, we must keep working to ensure tailored and lifesaving reproductive health care for all LGBTQ+ people. Learn more: https://gu.tt/497Pcqd

Anti-abortion policymakers in the US House are pushing a federal funding bill that would do serious damage to sexual and reproductive health care. The bill includes poison pill riders that would attempt to defund Title X, Planned Parenthood and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, and to restrict access to gender affirming care. The bill also includes the discriminatory Hyde Amendment that bans abortion coverage for people enrolled in Medicaid and other federal programs, and the harmful Weldon Amendment that allows for refusal of care. Every person should have access to contraception and abortion, and be able to make decisions about their health with dignity and autonomy. But if this bill advances further, it could cause significant and irreparable harm to reproductive freedom nationwide. 🚨 Our policy experts are monitoring, and we will share updates as they become available. #BeBoldEndHyde #AbortionJustice