Women seek abortions, legal and safe or not, if they have an unwanted pregnancy because it is too late for contraception. Contraception must be promoted to reduce unwanted pregnancy, but all women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy must have access to safe abortion. Public health evidence and human rights norms require that as a public health community we challenge abortion bans and other restrictions. Since the 1960s the American Public Health Association has recognized the importance of access to safe abortion in the United States as a public health issue. It has called not only for federal funding of abortion services and increased training, but also safeguarding of abortion as a reproductive choice. With reproductive and sexual rights under unprecedented pressure, we cannot stop now.
Details:
Authors: Sofia Gruskin
Published By: American Journal of Public Health
Date: January 1, 2013
Publication Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3518357/pdf/AJPH.2012.301131.pdf
