Pew Survey Finds Majority Support Legal Abortion in 34 States, DC

Public opinion on abortion in the United States remains deeply divided along political, religious, and geographic lines, with significant state-by-state variation following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion. A Pew Research Center survey shows that in 34 states and the District of Columbia, a majority support legal abortion, with some regions like New England displaying support rates above 75%, while Arkansas stands out as the only state with a clear majority opposing abortion rights. Nationally, 63% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, with strong support among religiously unaffiliated individuals, Black Protestants, and Democrats, while White evangelical Protestants and conservative Republicans predominantly oppose abortion. The federal government's stance on abortion-related medical care has shifted under the Trump administration, which rescinded Biden-era guidance on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), clarifying that while abortion for mental health reasons is not mandated, hospitals must provide emergency care to pregnant women and unborn children in medical crises. Personal narratives highlight the social and emotional challenges faced by women seeking abortions in restrictive environments, particularly among immigrant communities facing cultural and legal barriers. Meanwhile, scientific debates continue about potential health risks associated with abortion, such as Professor Joel Brind’s contested research linking abortion to increased breast cancer risk, which remains controversial and largely unacknowledged by mainstream medical bodies.