1. Racial Disparities in Abortion Health Care
One of the most current pressing issues in abortion and reproductive health are the racial
disparities that halt women from receiving proper access and care. This factsheet will focus on
these issues in the United States, socio and economic factors behind this phenomenon, as well as
the statistics and data that support this research.
Statistics and Data Concerning Abortion Disparities
According to research conducted by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, African
American women are almost five times as likely to have an abortion in comparison to white
women, while Latina women are twice as likely. Although information on the abortion rates for
Asian and Pacific Islander women is sparse, a study has shown that 35 percent of pregnancies for
women in this category end in abortion5. Since the landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade, which
legalized abortion, the annual abortion rate has been at its lowest since 20111. Statistically
speaking, about 16.9 abortions were performed for every 1,000 women in 2011. This rate
significantly decreased compared to 1981, where 29.3 abortions were performed for every 1,000
women1. Although this data can be contributed to the fact that more knowledge about sexual
health and contraceptive is available, the abortion rates are still high among specific racial
groups. The general abortion rate of women in the United States has decreased; however the
rates for African American and Latina women remain significantly higher.
One of the major factors for this disparity can be attributed to household income. It is important
to note that the median wealth factor in white households is 18 times higher than Hispanic
households and 20 times higher than African American households1. However, it’s important to
note that all low income women are more susceptible to unintended pregnancy and abortions. A
recent study conducted by Guttmacher stated that one of the many reasons why abortion is on the
decline is due to the popularity of LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) Methods, such
as IUDs (Intrauterine Device)2. Although this may be a popular action for many women, its price
range can be expensive as $1,000 and may not be a realistic option for low income women.
Sociological factors can also play a role in examining the racial disparities. Factors such as
culture, familial history, and education can ultimately contribute to a woman’s reproductive
choices.
Although women of color make up the largest demographic for the highest abortion rates,
women below the poverty line abortion rates have a higher ranking1. However, when examining
the abortion rates of women below the poverty line, Latina still rank the highest. The reasoning
behind these disparities may be due to constrains in immigrant Latina women’s ability to receive
access to all aspects of health care, especially reproductive and sexual health. Therefore, the lack
of health insurance often has a correlation with the reduced focus on health care. For example, a
Guttmacher study states, that Latina immigrant women are likely to have gone without any
sexual or reproductive health care within the past year. Guttmacher continues to assert that only

2. about 52 percent of immigrant women at risk for unintended pregnancy received contraceptive
care, compared to 65 percent of US born women3. Other obstacles for Latina women include
language barriers and the fear of legal repercussions for undocumented women plays a larger
role. It is also important to note that there are various outside factors that may have a large
contribution to high abortion rates of minority women. In a study conducted by Christine
Dehlendorf, it was discovered that African-American and Latina adolescents receive a
significantly less amount of education of reproductive and sexual health compared to their white
counterparts4. This statistic also includes having proper information and access to contraceptives.
Throughout her study, Dehlendorf also noted that women of color are often pressured by their
doctors to use birth control to limit the size of their family4. Such discrimination from their
health care provider ultimately causes minority women to disregard their doctor’s orders all
together and not seek other beneficial reproductive health resources. However, with the passing
of the Affordable Health Care Act, these disparities can be reduced by giving lower income
women access to affordable birth control methods.
Policy Impacts
Although there are significant cultural and environmental factors that may have caused the
disparities in abortion rates, there are amendments and laws that have played a notable role. For
example, even though the Hyde Amendment was passed in 1973, it still is extremely influential
with the discourse of reproductive health. The purpose of the Amendment was to ban the use of
Medicaid to fund abortions, unless the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or is life
threatening to the mother. However, there have been a number of studies that have shown that
the Hyde Amendment puts women of color at a disadvantage. Since federal funding cannot be
used for abortions, women of color will have to pay out of pocket for their health care. Although
African-Americans and Latina women are significantly poorer, studies have also shown that
certain groups of Asian and Pacific Islander women also have high poverty rates. For example,
studies have shown that 67, 66, and 47 percent of people of Laotian, Hmong, and Cambodian
descent live in poverty in the United States5. Other reasons why the Hyde Amendment
negatively impacts minority women include the fact that many women of color are already
enrolled in government insurance programs. Therefore, the option of even using their insurance
to cover abortion fees is void.
Conclusion
By understanding the causes and impacts of racial disparities, perhaps more public health
officials and policymakers will take more of a stand in regards to the issue. With policies
hindering a woman’s choice in abortion, the disparities will unfortunately continue. By taking a
stance to combat these disparities, further promotion in reproductive health and women’s rights
can occur.

3. 1 Dutton Z, Abortion’s racial gap [Internet]. The Atlantic. 2014 September 22- [cited 2014
December 1]. Available from: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/abortions-
racial-gap/380251/2/
2 Cohen S. Abortion and women of color. Guttmacher Policy Rev [Internet]. 2008 Summer-
[cited 2014 December 1]. Available from:
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/gpr/11/3/gpr110302.html
3 Hasstedt K. The case for advancing access to health coverage and care for immigrant women
and families. Guttmacher Media Center [Internet]. 2014 November 19- [cited 2014 December 1].
Available from: http://www.guttmacher.org/media/inthenews/2014/11/19/HAB-NIC.html
4 Dehlendorf C, Harris L, Weitz, T. Disparities in abortion rates: a public health approach.
American Journal of Public Health. 2013 October. [cited 2014 December 1]. Available from:
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301339
5 Arons J, Rosenthal L. How the hyde amendment discriminates against poor women and women
of color. Center for American Progress [Internet]. 2013 May 10- [cited 2014 December 1].
Available from: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2013/05/10/62875/how-
the-hyde-amendment-discriminates-against-poor-women-and-women-of-color/