Data voluntarily reported from 49 reporting areas: 853,485 legal induced abortions - 0.5% decrease [CA, NH, AK not included] [857,475 legal abortions for same 49 reporting areas in 2000].

The abortion ratio [abortions per 1,000 live births] was 246 in 2001 [245 reported for 2000]: 0.4% increase. The abortion rate: 16/1,000 women aged 15-44 years for 2001 & 2000. Women: unmarried (82%), white (55%) [36% Black] & aged under 25 years (52%). 

Married women - incl. married AND separated women - had 18.4% of all abortions. Abortions performed: 59% <8 weeks gestation, 88% <13 weeks, 4.3% at 16-20 weeks, 1.4% at/over 21 weeks (11,949 babies). From 45 areas: 2.9% of all abortions were “medical”, non-surgical abortions, from RU-486 etc.

From 46 areas: 12,137 abortions on girls under age 16. About 60% of all US abortions are performed at/under 8 weeks gestation. In 2000, the abortion numbers given to CDC were 20% lower than the numbers reported by Alan Guttmacher Institute [Finer LB, Henshaw. Abortion incidence and services in the United States in 2000. Perspect Sex Repro Health 2003;35:6-15], which contacts abortion providers directly.

“In a study of abortion patients conducted during 2000-2001, a total of 54% of the patients reported that they were using contraception during the month they became pregnant." [Jones RK, Darroch, Henshaw. Contraceptive use among U.S. women having abortions in 2000-2001. Perspect Sex Reprod Health, 2002;34:294-303]  [CDC, MMWR, Surveillance Summaries, vol 53, 26Nov04]