In a promising turn of events for the pro-life movement, Kentucky reported a substantial drop in abortion numbers in 2022, marking a significant victory for the state’s pro-life laws and initiatives. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services released the 2022 abortion report in October 2023, revealing a remarkable decline in abortion cases.
Abortion figures in Kentucky witnessed a dramatic decrease, with 2,550 abortions reported in 2022, representing a 43% reduction compared to the previous year. Notably, chemical abortions, a method often favored by the abortion industry, also saw a significant decline, plummeting by 45% from 2,277 in 2021 to 1,256 in 2022. These chemical abortions accounted for nearly half (49%) of all abortions in the state during that year.
The Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) estimated that Kentucky’s abortion rate stood at 3.0 abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age. As of November 2023, data from 23 states on abortion statistics for 2022 indicated that 10 of them experienced a decrease in abortion numbers compared to the previous year.
Notably, the report highlighted that 84% of abortions in Kentucky in 2022 were performed on state residents, while 16% were on residents from other states. Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio had the highest numbers of residents seeking abortions in Kentucky, with 8%, 5%, and 2% of the total, respectively.
The age distribution of women seeking abortions in Kentucky revealed that 8% were obtained by girls aged 19 and younger, while 33% were by women between 20 and 24 years old, and 27% by those aged 25 to 29. Thirty percent of the abortions were performed on women in their thirties, with 3% on women aged 40 and older.
The racial breakdown of abortion recipients showed that 49% of abortions were obtained by white women, 37% by black women, and 13% by women of other races. Notably, Kentucky’s black abortion rate, at 11.4 abortions per 1,000 women, was nearly seven times higher than the white abortion rate of 1.7 abortions per 1,000 women.
Furthermore, 48% of the abortions were performed on women with only 12 years of education or fewer, and 41% on women with one to four years of college education. Ten percent were on women who had completed five or more years of college, indicating a notable increase from 2021 when only 5% of Kentucky abortions were among highly educated women. A significant 88% of abortions were performed on unmarried women, while only 12% were on married women.
Kentucky’s abortion statistics also indicated that 34% of the abortions were obtained by women with no previous live births, 28% by women with one prior live birth, and 39% by women with two or more live births. A noteworthy 22% of the abortions were performed on women who had previously experienced a miscarriage.
The report revealed that approximately 49% of abortions in Kentucky were chemical abortions, while 51% were surgical — 46% were conducted using the suction curettage method, 5% via dilation and evacuation, and one abortion through hysterectomy/hysterotomy.
The report disclosed that there were zero abortions performed in Kentucky after 20 weeks post-fertilization in 2022. This significant development coincided with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, which led to the implementation of Kentucky’s heartbeat and life at conception laws. Once these two laws were upheld by the courts, the number of abortions that occurring in Kentucky dropped to nearly zero.
The report also highlighted that the majority of abortions, 83%, were carried out at EMW Women’s Surgical Center in Louisville, with 17% taking place at Planned Parenthood facilities. Fewer abortions were reported at other healthcare facilities in the state.
In summary, Kentucky’s substantial reduction in abortion rates in 2022 represents a significant victory for the pro-life movement and the implementation of stronger pro-life laws. The nearly complete cessation of abortions indicates the positive impact of Kentucky’s pro-life legislation. The state’s commitment to transparency in reporting abortion data has allowed the public to track and analyze these encouraging trends. Kentucky’s ongoing efforts to protect the sanctity of life through comprehensive reporting and pro-life laws demonstrate its commitment to a culture of life.
