Association of Travel Distance to Nearest Abortion Facility With Rates of Abortion
The abortion rates declined as travel distance to an abortion care facility increased, and modeling suggests the need for abortion care can be only partially met through service delivery innovations.
Abstract
Key Points Question Is there an association between median travel distance to an abortion facility and abortion rate? Findings In this cross-sectional geographic analysis of US counties, increases in median travel distance to the nearest abortion care facility were associated with significant reductions in median abortion rate (21.1 per 1000 female residents of reproductive age for <5 miles; 3.9 per 1000 female residents of reproductive age for ≥120 miles). Reductions in travel distances were associated with significant increases in the median abortion rate (telemedicine simulation, 10.2 per 1000 female residents of reproductive age). Meaning In this study, the abortion rates declined as travel distance to an abortion care facility increased, and modeling suggests the need for abortion care can be only partially met through service delivery innovations.