More Black Babies Die in Abortions in New York City Than Given Birth

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 20, 2014   |   1:30PM   |   Washington, DC

The good news in New York City, often referred to as the abortion capital of America, is that the abortion rate is under 40% for the first time in decades.

But CNS News indicates there is some bad news as well — namely, that more black babies are killed in abortions than given birth.

In 2012, there were more black babies killed by abortion (31,328) in New York City than were born there (24,758), and the black children killed comprised 42.4% of the total number of abortions in the Big Apple, according to a report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The report is entitled, Summary of Vital Statistics 2012 The City of New York, Pregnancy Outcomes, and was prepared by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Vital Statistics. (See  Pregnancy Outcomes NYC Health 2012.pdf)

There were  6,570 more abortions than live births of black children. In total, there were 73,815 abortions, which means the 31,328 black babies aborted comprised 42.4% of the total abortions.

newyorkcityThe Chiaroscuro Foundation provided LifeNews more details about the abortion numbers in New York City. While the City’s abortion rate is still nearly twice the national average, the progress is encouraging, he says.

“We have been raising awareness about New York City’s high rate of abortion for the past four years, and we are certainly encouraged by the progress made during that time,” said Greg Pfundstein, president of the Chiaroscuro Foundation. “We will continue to work with community leaders, churches, and organization who share our concern about this problem and to help women facing unplanned pregnancies find the support they need in their communities.

“The City’s claim that increased use of contraception is the cause of the substantial decline is quite perplexing, though,” Mr. Pfundstein continued. “While the CDC through its comprehensive National Survey of Family Growth has found steadily declining rates of teenage sexual activity, they have not found substantial increases in contraceptive use. And the City has been pushing Plan B for several years, which studies show does not decrease the pregnancy rate. If the City has data proving their claim, they should make it available to the public.”

The abortion ratio citywide fell to just over 37% in 2012-a record low since 1970 when abortion was legalized in New York. The Bronx continues to lead the city with an abortion ratio of 47%. The largest drop in the abortion ratio was in Brooklyn, which saw the ratio drop from 37% to 34%. Staten Island continues to have the lowest ratio at 29%.

The ratio of abortions for African-American women remained highest in the city in 2012 at 55.9%, down from nearly 60% in 2009. Asian and Pacific Island women had the lowest ratio at 17.5%. City abortion data from 1994-2012, broken down by borough and ethnicity, is available here.

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Despite an overall reduction in abortions, some areas-primarily minority or low income neighborhoods-continue to experience a disproportionate number of abortions. “We were pleased with the progress, but we still have a long way to go, especially in meeting the needs of poor and minority women,” said Molly O’Connor, communications director of the Chiaroscuro Foundation.

Of the 197,046 viable pregnancies in New York City in 2012, 73,815 were terminated by abortion. 1,832, or 2.48%, of the abortions performed in the City in 2012 were performed at gestational ages of 21 weeks or later.

“It’s time we look at the resources we’re providing pregnant women in need,” O’Connor said. “Local churches, community organizations, and neighbors are crucial to delivering services and support that empower women to choose alternatives to abortion.”