A first-of-its-kind study found a link between the suicide rates of younger women and laws that restrict abortion.
New research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that for more than four decades. Women of reproductive age may have been more likely to commit suicide due to restricted access to abortions.
Although suicide deaths are uncommon, they are the second leading cause of death for women between the ages of 20 and 24 in the United States. And the third leading cause for women between the ages of 25 and 34.
From 1974 to 2016, abortion restrictions may have contributed to some suicide deaths among younger women. According to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry.
Trap
At least one Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) law was enacted in 21 states during that time, which mandates abortion providers or facilities with requirements like proximity to hospitals. Or affiliation with local hospitals. Between 1974 and 2016, the average annual rate of suicide among women of reproductive age in those states. It was nearly 6% higher than it had been in years prior when the laws weren’t in place.
According to Dr. Ran Barzilay, one of the authors, the study is the first of its kind to demonstrate a link between abortion restrictions. And suicide rates among younger women.
He stated that the researchers did not find the same association for older women. Indicating that the increased risk of suicide was unique to women who were directly affected by TRAP laws. The researchers also excluded other influences on suicide rates, like a state’s political climate or the economy.
New research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that for more than four decades, women of reproductive age may have been more likely to commit suicide due to restricted access to abortions.
Although suicide deaths are uncommon, they are the second leading cause of death for women between the ages of 20 and 24 in the United States and the third leading cause for women between the ages of 25 and 34.
From 1974 to 2016, abortion restrictions may have contributed to some suicide deaths among younger women. According to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry.
Overview
The numbers are small at first. Barzilay, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, stated, “We looked at the ultimate adverse, or worst outcome.”
Tyler VanderWeele, an epidemiology professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, estimated that TRAP laws may have been associated with approximately 127 suicides among women of reproductive age in 2016 in an accompanying editorial that was published on Wednesday.
Raised self destruction rates in states with more prohibitive early termination regulations “is cause for clinical concern,” he composed.
According to Nichole Austin, an assistant epidemiology professor at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, the data “indicate the need for support and for mental health care” beyond what is currently offered in the United States. In contrast to abortion restrictions that are geared toward patients. Such as a parental consent requirement for minors. TRAP laws impose restrictions on providers or facilities that go beyond what is medically necessary.
In an abortion facility, the width of the corridors. Or the size of the procedure rooms may be governed by the laws.
“Some laws will impose requirements on the nature of the facilities themselves—you must have a certain temperature and specific signage. She stated, “It really gets a little bit ridiculous.”
According to Austin, TRAP laws can make it harder for women to get abortions because they can make it take longer to get there or make facilities close.
