AMERICA

The patterns of out-of-state abortions

are little understood, as there is very little data available to analyze. That said, general trends include women from bordering states traveling across state lines to obtain abortions. States where abortion is legal but restricted will often see out-of-state women traveling to nearby states where it is more accessible. In some cases, women will travel to states further away in order to have access to more options and greater privacy. This is more common in states where abortion is both medically restricted and socially stigmatized.

In addition, women living in states without broad access to abortion-related services may also seek abortions in other states if they are unable to access such services locally. This is particularly true for low-income women who cannot afford to travel across state lines and do not have access to adequate reproductive care in their communities.