Proximity to Abortion Services and Child Maltreatment

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the accessibility of abortion services and incidences of child maltreatment across the United States, using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and the Myers abortion facility database from 2011 to 2018. The analysis reveals that a rise in travel distance to the nearest abortion facility significantly increases the incidence of child maltreatment. Specifically, we find that a 100-mile increase in travel distance was associated with a 28.1% increase in maltreatment reports, primarily driven by increases in child neglect and physical abuse. This effect is particularly pronounced for very young children, non-White children, and those living in economically disadvantaged, racially diverse, and rural areas. Furthermore, supplemental analyses using data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) and county-level eviction records for renting households reveal economic stability and housing security as significant mediators linking barriers to abortion services to an increased risk of maltreatment. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between reproductive health services access, socio-economic factors, and child welfare.