Changes in Abortion Access, Travel, and Costs Since the Implementation of State Abortion Bans, 2022–2024

Bibliographic Data

ID11033019
AuthorsNancy F Berglas (0000-0001-5310-4848, All authors are with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.), Jessica T Barnes (0000-0002-6550-9209, All authors are with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.), Elizabeth Gonzalez (0000-0002-2827-5052, All authors are with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.), Lisa Peters (0009-0006-5597-8876, All authors are with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.), Diana Greene Foster (0000-0002-2741-0283, All authors are with Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.)
Year2025
Volume115
Issue10
Pages1713-1722
Publication date2025-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2025.308191
PMID40570279
OpenAlexW4411676242
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited23

Objectives. To compare the experiences of people who obtained abortions before the implementation of a state abortion ban with those seeking abortion after a ban. Methods. Using self-administered surveys (n = 855), we examined the abortion-seeking experiences of individuals recruited from clinics and call centers in 14 US states that implemented bans on abortion at all gestations, June 2022 to June 2024. We used bivariate analyses to compare differences in travel by ban status. Results. Most people (81%) who contacted a clinic or call center after a ban reported traveling to another state for an abortion; few (3%) continued their pregnancy to birth. Compared with those who accessed abortion in their state before a ban, postban travelers were less likely to drive and more likely to travel by bus, train, or airplane. Mean travel time (2.8 vs 11.3 hours), overnight stays (5% vs 58%), and mean travel costs ($179 vs $372) increased, as did mean pregnancy duration (7.7 vs 8.8 weeks) and the proportion occurring at 13 weeks or more duration (8% vs 17%). Conclusions. Travel burdens, costs, and delays in abortion have increased since the implementation of state abortion bans. ( Am J Public Health. 2025;115(10):1713–1722. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308191 )

Abortion · Family medicine · Pregnancy · Public health · Demography · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Reproductive Health and Contraception

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access