The development of antibiotic resistance makes treating infections difficult since there are fewer effective antibiotics available. Combating resistant infections begins in the laboratory where drug-resistant bacteria are identified. CDC receives data on legal induced abortions from the 50 states, New York City and the District of Columbia. Women who obtained legal abortions in 1997, as in previous years, were predominantly white and unmarried. In 1997, almost 3,000 medical abortions were reported from 16 states.
Many states emphasize the prevention of unintended pregnancy, particularly among teenagers.
To assist efforts to prevent unintended pregnancy, each state needs an accurate assessment of abortion on an ongoing basis, including the number and characteristics of women obtaining abortions. The report presents national data for 1997 on legal induced abortions compiled from the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia. The number of abortions reported to CDC for 1997 showed a decline from the previous year and is the lowest recorded number since 1978. Women who obtained legal abortions in 1997, as in previous years, were predominantly white and unmarried. About one-fifth of women who obtained abortions were aged 19 years or younger.