Ohio abortions decline by about 15% statewide, from 21,813 in 2021 to 18,488 in 2022. Central Ohio again leads the state in reducing the number of abortions, with a 21% decline in abortions from 2021 and a 45% reduction in the past ten years.
The Ohio Department of Health released the abortion statistics for 2022. By law, certain information about abortion must be released in a public report by the end of September the following year. A copy of that report can be found here (note, it is a large PDF).
Ohio’s abortion numbers last year have been impacted by a number of things, but most significant is the US Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case, the subsequent implementation of the heartbeat protection law, and the legal challenges to that law. This resulted in a scenario where abortion was generally legal until the point of viability from January until June 24th, a period of time when abortion was generally not legal after the point that a baby’s heartbeat could be detected between June 25th and early September, and a return to the viability standard through the end of the year. In addition, we anticipate that shifting laws in states surrounding Ohio, especially after the heartbeat law was enjoined by the states increased the number of women traveling into Ohio to seek abortions.
Total Ohio Abortions
The total number of abortions that happened last year in Ohio fell, by about 15%, or 3,325 from 21,813 to 18,488. Once again, abortions were fairly evenly split between those performed surgically and those performed via non-surgical methods like the abortion pill or methotrexate.
Most abortions occur in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Lucas, or Summit Counties. The number of abortions being performed in each of these areas fell, except in Lucas County (Toledo), where abortions increased by 51, or about 5%.
The report looks not only at the abortions based on where they are performed, but also on where the mother resides. From this, we can see a few things, including that the number of abortions from women traveling to Ohio for abortions increased by 190 last year. This could be because while Ohio's heartbeat law is held up in courts, several nearby states have passed laws strengthening protections for babies, but the number generally varies from year to year.
One thing that we look at is the number of abortions happening in our local community. It is important to us that we are not just moving abortions around the state, but that we are reducing actual abortions in actual communities. Looking at the numbers based on where mom lives can help us to work with our partners to increase programs or resources.
Eventually we will take a closer look at every county and also update our abortion rate statistics for the year. For now, however, here is a look at the primary counties we serve.
Ohio voters should especially take note of what actually happened in Ohio during the time when the heartbeat law was in effect (from about June 25th until about September 14th). As reported by abortion providers themselves, there were 1967 abortions during that time. In 1947 instances, the abortion provider reported there being no detectable heartbeat. In 20 instances the abortion provider certified that the abortion was performed due to medical emergency, attesting the following medical complications: inevitable (spontaneous) abortion (6), infection (5), premature ruptured membranes (11), cardiac (4), and other medical emergencies (11). More than one complication may have been reported. This is proof from the abortion industry itself that Ohio’s abortion law gives broad protections to women experiencing real health emergencies during pregnancy and allows doctors to take actions to save a woman’s life, even in circumstances where the baby cannot survive.
Ohio law, whether under the 22 week or the heartbeat standard, does contain exceptions for maternal medical emergencies.
Ohio’s heartbeat law continues to be litigated. On September 27th, the Ohio Supreme Court held oral arguments on two procedural elements of the case. The first element is if the State has an immediate right to appeal the case and the second is if the abortion clinics and providers had the right to even bring the lawsuit on the basis of third party standing – they did not represent a specific patient, but women broadly. The fundamental elements of the case – if the law is Constitutional in Ohio, remain in lower courts.
With this in mind, we always caution that Ohio’s abortion numbers provide a limited snapshot of what is happening in Ohio. This year, even more so. We also know that we are working to defeat Issue 1 in November, an extreme and dangerous amendment to our Constitution that would:
- Enable taxpayer-funded abortion through all nine months of pregnancy for any reason whatsoever – even painful, cruel, and dangerous procedures on perfectly healthy babies in the second and third trimester.
- Eliminate parental involvement before children engage in life-altering procedures like abortion, sterilization, and even sex change procedures, and
- Wipe out critical health and safety provisions that ensure women and children are kept safe.