Abortion rate declines in Valley

Staff and wire report

COLUMBUS

The number of abortions in the Mahoning Valley has declined dramatically over the past nine years, according to a new report from the Ohio Department of Health.

In 2005, ODH reported 1,515 abortions in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties. The total dropped by nearly 50 percent to 789 in 2013.

Count-by-county data show:

Mahoning County recorded 413 abortions in 2013 compared with 791 in 2005.

Trumbull County reported 293 abortions in 2013 compared with 536 in 2005.

Columbiana County reported 83 abortions in 2013 compared with 188 in 2005.

Statewide the annual number of abortions reported in Ohio has dropped below 24,000, its lowest level since the state began tracking the data in 1976.

The yearly report released Friday by the ODH says 23,216 pregnancies were terminated in 2013. That’s about 2,000 fewer than in 2012, when the number increased for the first time since 2000.

The state’s reports don’t speculate on reasons for the decline. Since the start of 2013, however, six abortion facilities in the state have closed. There no longer are any in the Mahoning Valley.

The report also reveals:

A 2.4-percent overall decrease within the African American community.

A 13-percent decrease in abortions after 19 weeks.

Decreases in the major metropolitan areas of Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Summit, Stark and Mahoning counties.

Increases in Cuyahoga and Montgomery Counties.

Doctors are required to inform the state about induced abortions through confidential reports, which are used to compile the data.

Nearly 95 percent of abortions performed in Ohio last year were obtained by Ohio residents. About one-third of the women were age 20-24, and about 12 percent were younger than 20.

“Ohio’s continual decline in abortions is representative of an increasingly pro-life culture in our state,” said Stephanie Ranade Krider, executive director of Ohio Right to Life.