Wisconsin Abortion Numbers Plummet 14 Percent in 2007 as Centers Close
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 8, 2008
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) — New numbers are in from the state of Wisconsin on the number of abortions done in the state in 2007 and pro-life advocates are ecstatic that they show a decline of 14 percent. Last year, 1,313 fewer babies were killed by abortion as the number of abortions dropped from 9,580 in 2006 to 8,267 in 2007.
The abortion rate and ratio also dropped in the state — meaning that fewer women are having abortions and more women who become pregnant are looking to keeping their baby or adoption.
The Wisconsin abortion rate, the number of abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age, now stands at 7 while the national rate hovers between 16 and 19.
More importantly, the Wisconsin abortion ratio, the number of abortions per 100 live births is at 11 while nationally the number is about 20 percent. That means almost 90 percent of women who become pregnant in Wisconsin opt against an abortion.
Wisconsin Right to Life tells LifeNews.com that it is happy about the new numbers and pledges to continue its educational and legislative efforts to reduce those numbers further.
"By using a multi-faceted approach to abortion — education, public policy, and direct assistance to women — we are doing extraordinary things in Wisconsin," the group said. "Wisconsin Right to Life is extremely proud to be the lead organization on so many efforts that result in human lives saved."
As has been the case over a period of years, women 18-34 have 81% of Wisconsin abortions with women in their college years having the highest proportion.
African-Americans have an alarming 24% of abortions and Latinos account for 9% of all abortions in the Badger State.
Unmarried women have 88% of abortions, which, Wisconsin Right to Life contends, "signifies that the absence of a father plays a huge role in women deciding to abort."
The pro-life group says the decline in abortions may have come about because of the difficulty of finding abortion practitioners.
"Planned Parenthood — no crying here — had to close its Milwaukee and Appleton abortion clinics for about seven months in 2007 because they couldn’t find an abortionist," the group told LifeNews.com. "Just think of the money Planned Parenthood lost."
That means the decline could be temporary.
"With five abortion clinics in Wisconsin, 40% were closed last year. It is quite possible that abortions will go up in 2008 because the clinics, unfortunately, have re-opened," WRTL indicated.
"Nonetheless, nothing can diminish the fact that 1,313 babies were saved from abortion in 2007 and their mothers spared the lifetime impact of abortion," the Right to Life group concluded.
"It is the ultimate reward for all who labor continuously day after day, year after year, and decade after decade to fight for the sanctity of human life. Blessings to all of you," the group said.
Related web sites:
Wisconsin Right to Life – https://www.WisconsinRightToLife.org
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