Abortions reached a historic low in 2013 in Pennsylvania, as unsafe abortion centers shut down and women had better access to life-affirming pregnancy resources. A lot of the credit goes to the thousands of dedicated pro-life volunteers across the state who work to protect every child and mother from the devastation of abortion. 
Still, 32,108 abortions happened in 2013, and that means we have a lot of work to do. The report from the state Department of Health points to key areas where we can focus our efforts.
Here are ten important facts from the report:
1. More than 88 percent of abortions were to unmarried women.
2. For more than half of the women, it was her first abortion.
3. More than half already had at least one child.
4. About 42 percent of abortions were to African American women, a disproportionately high percentage.
5. Most women were in their 20s.
6. Women are increasingly at risk of abortion injuries. The abortion complication rate increased 22 percent in 2013. (Abortion centers do not always report complications to the state; so the rate is probably even higher.)
7. More women are having medical abortions, which have a higher complication rate.
8. Almost all abortions (92.5 percent) were performed during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and almost 60 percent were at 8 weeks or earlier.
9. Almost half of all abortions in 2013 were performed in Philadelphia.
10. In 2013, there were 18 freestanding, non-hospital abortion facilities in Pennsylvania.
To me, many of these facts seem to indicate that women need better support. They are facing a pregnancy without a commitment from the baby’s father. They may have other children They may be in school or just starting a career. They may be told the lie that in the first trimester, it’s not a real baby yet — just a blob of tissue.
Because of pregnancy education and support, more women are choosing life for their babies; but we need your help to keep providing education and support to more Pennsylvania families.
If you are pregnant and need help, click here or call the Pennsylvania pregnancy hotline at 1-888-LIFE-AID to find free, confidential, caring support near you.