Abortion in Ohio ticked upward in 2012, driven primarily by increases in the number of abortions by women who are black, according to a report by the Ohio Department of Health.
The annual report, released this week, says that 25,473 abortions were reported in the state in 2012. That’s an increase of about 3 percent from the 2011 total of 24,764.
But the report notes that while the total increased, it remains lower than 2010 and is the second lowest total since the state began tracking the data in 1976.
The report was released on the same day as a rally was being held at the Statehouse in Columbus. Participants promised to roll back new abortion restrictions recently approved by lawmakers. They said the increase in the number of abortions shows that Republican-backed restrictions do not work and that women, particularly in poorer areas, need improved access to contraception.
White women accounted for 51.5 percent of the abortions in the state, with 13,109 abortions reported. That’s a decrease of 231 from 2011.
The largest increase was among black women, for which 9,694 abortions were reported. They accounted for 38.1 percent of all abortions in the state, and the total was an increase of 516 over the 2011.
Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said that likely is due to lack of adequate health care services, resulting in less access to contraception, particularly in urban neighborhoods.
Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, had a different take on the numbers; that abortion providers were targeting African American communities.
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