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Right to Life of Michigan needed now to help mothers

 

Michigan’s 2008 abortion statistics provide clear evidence that Right to Life of Michigan is needed now, more than ever. In 2008, there were 25,970 abortions performed in Michigan. While this number is historically low (there are only 3 years on record with a lower number of reported abortions in Michigan), it was an unfortunate 5.2 percent increase from 2007’s all-time low abortion total. Right to Life of Michigan’s life-affirming message is needed at this important juncture to ensure that 2008’s increase is a one-year blip in our state’s ongoing trend of reducing and eliminating abortion. Women in unplanned pregnancies need to be inundated with the message that life is precious and abortion isn’t their only option. In a state struggling with high levels of unemployment, too often women in unplanned pregnancies feel abortion is their only option.

The 2008 abortion statistics revealed some startling trends which will help Right to Life of Michigan target its message where it is needed most. One trend is the prevalence of abortion in the Black community. Black women obtained nearly as many abortions in Michigan as white women (45.4 percent compared to 48.4 percent) even though Michigan’s population is only about 14 percent Black and about 80 percent white. We’ve seen the percentage of abortions performed on Black women rise from 37.5 percent in 2004 to 45.4 percent in 2008.

Another trend in the 2008 abortion statistics was an alarming rise in the number of later-term abortions. While the total number of abortions performed in Michigan rose by 5.2 percent in 2008, the number of abortions performed after 12 weeks rose by 34.2 percent. The number of abortions performed on women who were 17-20 weeks pregnant rose by 73.6 percent, and the number of abortions performed after 20 weeks doubled.

In times like these, it is especially important to teach others about the sanctity of human life and abortion alternatives. The prolife message is needed now, more than ever.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© RIGHT TO LIFE OF MICHIGAN, 2340 PORTER ST SW, PO BOX 901, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49509-0901, (616) 532-2300
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