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Significant drop in Delaware abortions in recent years, study shows

Delaware Public Media

New data shows the rate of abortions has gone down in Delaware more than any other state in recent years.

A recent Guttmacher Institute study examined abortion trends in all 50 states between the years 2014 and 2017. The results show Delaware reduced its rate of abortions by 37% in that time while the national rate went down by 7%. 

Upstream USA is a nonprofit training physicians on how to talk to patients about contraception options. The group began working statewide in Delaware more than four years ago. 

Upstream CEO Mark Edwards says he believes the data indicates his group’s work is having an impact.

“This dramatic drop in abortion does seem to suggest that there has been an increase in access and utilization of contraception in Delaware which is correlated with a pretty significant drop in abortion,” said Edwards.  

Dr. Robyn Miller is Interim Division Chief of Adolescent Medicine and Pediatric Gynecology at Nemours AI Dupont Hospital. 

She says Upstream’s training helps physicians feel more comfortable talking about birth control methods like intrauterine devices (IUD).

“A recommendation from their pediatrician goes a very long way,” said Miller. “After going over the education of all the different options, once they make their decision, if they’re able to provide it then great, and if they’re not, they’re able to refer to someone who can. But they’ve had that conversation to let the patient know all of the options that exist to them”  

Delaware has not passed any legislation further regulating abortions as some states have. The First State added a fourth abortion clinic during the time of the study. 

State Senate Republicans have introduced bills the past two sessions to ban abortions after 20 weeks of fetal development, and to require doctors to offer an ultrasound before terminating a pregnancy. The measures have yet to receive a vote.

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