The right to an abortion is constitutionally protected and continues to be integral issue for Black women's reproductive health and rights. Safe and legal abortions should be an option for all women. American women have an abortion rate two times higher than other Western democracies. Forty-three percent of American women will have at least one abortion by age 45. These women are twice as likely to have abortions compared to the general population.
Women of color are approximately twice as likely to have an abortion as White women.
Of the unplanned pregnancies that end in abortion, there has been an increase among women aged 20 and older. Childbirth has a greater risk of death than abortion. Many women pay out of pocket for this procedure as insurance providers may not cover the service. In addition, a women's confidentiality may be compromised if insurance is utilized for this purpose. Public funding of abortion is primarily supported through state funding and few states allow abortion funding.