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History and scientific background on the economics of abortion

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  • Brittany Moore
  • Yana van der Meulen Rodgers
  • Ernestina Coast
  • Samantha R Lattof
  • Cheri Poss

Abstract

Background: Approximately one quarter of all pregnancies globally end in abortion, making it one of the most common gynecological practices worldwide. Despite the high incidence of abortion around the globe, the synthesis of known economic outcomes of abortion care and policies is lacking. Using data from a systematic scoping review, we synthesized the literature on the economics of abortion at the microeconomic, mesoeconomic, and mesoeconomic levels and presented the results in a collection of studies. This article describes the history and scientific background for collection, presents the scoping review framework, and discusses the value of this knowledge base. Methods and findings: We conducted a scoping review using the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. Studies reporting on qualitative and/or quantitative data from any world region were considered. For inclusion, studies must have examined one of the following outcomes: costs, impacts, benefits, and/or value of abortion-related care or policies. Our searches yielded 19,653 unique items, of which 365 items were included in our final inventory. Studies most often reported costs (n = 262), followed by impacts (n = 140), benefits (n = 58), and values (n = 40). Approximately one quarter (89/365) of studies contained information on the secondary outcome on stigma. Economic factors can lead to a delay in abortion care-seeking and can restrict health systems from adequately meeting the demand for abortion services. Provision of post-abortion care (PAC) services requires more resources then safe abortion services. Lack of insurance or public funding for abortion services can increase the cost of services and the overall economic impact on individuals both seeking and providing care. Conclusions: Consistent economic themes emerge from research on abortion, though evidence gaps remain that need to be addressed through more standardized methods and consideration to framing of abortion issues in economics terms. Given the highly charged political nature of abortion around the world, it is imperative that researchers continue to build the evidence base on economic outcomes of abortion services and regulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Brittany Moore & Yana van der Meulen Rodgers & Ernestina Coast & Samantha R Lattof & Cheri Poss, 2021. "History and scientific background on the economics of abortion," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0257360
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samantha R Lattof & Ernestina Coast & Yana van der Meulen Rodgers & Brittany Moore & Cheri Poss, 2020. "The mesoeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the economic effects of abortion on health systems," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Kelly M. Jones, 2015. "Contraceptive Supply and Fertility Outcomes: Evidence from Ghana," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 64(1), pages 31-69.
    3. Yana van der Meulen Rodgers & Ernestina Coast & Samantha R Lattof & Cheri Poss & Brittany Moore, 2021. "The macroeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the costs and outcomes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Brittany Moore & Cheri Poss & Ernestina Coast & Samantha R Lattof & Yana van der Meulen Rodgers, 2021. "The economics of abortion and its links with stigma: A secondary analysis from a scoping review on the economics of abortion," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(2), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Coast, Ernestina & Murray, Susan F., 2016. "“These things are dangerous”: Understanding induced abortion trajectories in urban Zambia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 201-209.
    6. Ernestina Coast & Samantha R Lattof & Yana van der Meulen Rodgers & Brittany Moore & Cheri Poss, 2021. "The microeconomics of abortion: A scoping review and analysis of the economic consequences for abortion care-seekers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(6), pages 1-21, June.
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