U.S. Abortion Rate Plunges

Here is some truly good news.

Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. abortion rate fell to its lowest level in more than 30 years as the number of doctors who provide the operations continued to decline, a study found.

There were 1.2 million abortions, or 19.4 for every 1,000 women of reproductive age, in 2005, according to research by the Guttmacher Institute in New York, a New York-based non-profit group focused on reproductive health. Those numbers compare with a peak of 1.6 million abortions, or 27.4 per 1,000 women, in 1990, the researchers wrote. [more]

The Guttmacher Institute is an offshoot of Planned Parenthood, so no one can say this is right-wing propaganda. The article goes on to speculate that the drop is a result of either decreased availability (thanks to all you nasty demonstrators and theocratic politicians), or possibly caused by more widespread use of contraceptives. I would like to think it is a sign that the prayers of the pro-life movement are being answered.

Whatever the reason, this report is cause for joy. It is not victory, though. 1.2 million is still a staggering number. We're losing the equivalent of a large city's population every single year. If terrorists did this to us everyone would be outraged. Instead, most people don't care. We have a long way to go.

To all those fighting for life in so many ways, congratulations. Your efforts are being rewarded. Be not afraid.