US Abortions Rise 2024 Driven by Telehealth, Despite State Bans

In 2024, the number of abortions in the U.S. rose to approximately 1.1 million, marking a steady increase since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, despite bans in many states. A significant driver of this rise is the increased use of abortion pills obtained through telehealth, which accounted for one in four abortions by the end of 2024, up from about one in twenty before the Dobbs decision. Many of these telehealth services operate from 'shield law' states that protect providers from prosecution when mailing abortion pills to patients in states with bans. While 12 states enforce near-total abortion bans and others limit abortions at around six weeks, women continue to access abortion care through alternative methods, including telemedicine, even in restrictive states. This growing telehealth abortion trend has sparked controversy, with some pro-life groups raising concerns about safety and legal enforcement. The data highlights the complex legal and medical landscape of abortion access in the U.S. following the Supreme Court's ruling.