Women's views on abortion in the US

KFF's Women's Health Survey is a nationally representative survey on women's health that has been conducted since 2001. The 2024 survey was conducted between May 13 and June 18 and includes a nationally representative sample of 6,246 adults ages 18 to 64, including 3,901 women ages 18 to 49.

The initial briefs on the survey focus on women's experiences, knowledge, and attitudes toward abortion. Future briefs will focus on contraception, fertility services, mental health, and more.

Overall, one in seven, or 14%, of women of reproductive age said they had an abortion at some point in their lives. This number was higher among Black women (21%) and Hispanic women (19%), compared to white women (11%). More women with lower incomes also reported having an abortion (17%) than those with higher incomes (13%)

Among women who said they had ever wanted or needed an abortion, 15% said they weren't able to get one. When asked why they didn't get a wanted or needed abortion, 33% reported access and affordability issues, while 19% reported religious, moral, or societal pressures. 

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, over a third of women said it has been difficult to access abortion services in their state. At the same time, over 60% of women of reproductive age expressed  concern that they or someone close to them wouldn't be able to get an abortion if it was necessary to preserve their health or life. 

Similarly, 64% of reproductive-age women said they are concerned that abortion bans will affect the safety of a potential future pregnancy either for themselves or someone close to them. In addition, 17% of women of reproductive age said they changed their contraceptive practices due to Roe's overturn. Some practices include starting birth control, switching to more effective birth control, or having emergency contraception on hand.

In the survey, some respondents had limited knowledge of abortion laws or where to get abortion care. Among women of reproductive age, only 45% correctly described the status of abortion in the state where they live. Similarly, only 25% of women said they knew where they could an abortion if they wanted or needed one in the future.

When it comes to the legality of abortion, 75% of reproductive age women said it should be legal in most or all cases. Only 8% of women said it should be illegal in all cases. In addition, 70% of women said they support a law guaranteeing a federal right to abortion, with half saying they strongly support it. 

A majority of women (63%) also somewhat or strongly oppose a nationwide ban on abortion at 15 weeks. Almost 75% of women also oppose leaving the decision of abortion up to individual states.

Commentary

Advisory Board's Gabriela Marmolejos was struck by the survey's finding that "state abortion bans are likely increasing women's pregnancy fears nationwide."

"Most participants worried about the safety of future pregnancies, yet less than half knew their state's current abortion policy," Marmolejos said. "This suggests to me that the horrific pregnancy stories being reported in states with abortion bans are likely stoking the fears of women across the country, regardless of whether their state has an abortion ban in place."

In light of these heightened fears, Marmolejos recommended that all pregnancy providers prioritize empathizing with their pregnant patients and educating them about organizational protocols that can help them manage risks. She also noted that "advanced practice providers, such as nurse midwives, are well-equipped to support these efforts since they often have greater capacity than ob/gyns to offer patients clinical education and emotional reassurance."

Separately, Advisory Board's Madeline Vogel said that "providers may face additional inquiries about contraceptive options, especially as nearly 1 in 5 women of reproductive age report they have changed their contraceptive practices due to Roe being overturned."

Advisory Board's women's health resources

For more insights into women's health issues, check out Advisory Board's library of resources, including:

We have several resources on the top drivers of change in the maternal and reproductive health market, as well as the outlook for the women's health service line.

To learn more about ways to improve women's health in the United States, this report outlines six key factors to take into consideration, including the roles of various healthcare stakeholders and the importance of cross-industry collaboration.

In addition, this expert insight outlines the business case for investing in women's specialty care. This research also describes five steps organizations can take to improve women's health and well-being.

You can also attend a breakout session on women's health at our upcoming "Pivots for a Sustainable Future Summit," which takes place Sept. 10-11 in Phoenix, Arizona. We also have an upcoming webinar on women's health market trends in 2024 on Sept. 26. (KFF "2024 Women's Health Survey," accessed 8/15; Gomez et al., KFF, 8/14; Weixel, The Hill, 8/14)