Ohio’s latest abortion report shows that the number of procedures performed in the state did not increase following the implementation of the reproductive rights amendment approved by voters in November 2023. According to the Ohio Department of Health’s 2024 annual report, physicians recorded a total of 21,829 abortions in the state last year, representing a decrease of less than one percent compared with 2023. The amendment, which went into effect on December 7, 2023, guarantees the right to abortion before fetal viability and after that point if the health of the mother is at risk. Fetal viability is typically considered to occur between 22 and 24 weeks, although it is determined by the judgment of the attending physician.
Ohio’s abortion laws have undergone significant shifts in recent years. In 2019, the state enacted a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, but this was repeatedly tied up in litigation. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the six-week ban briefly took effect from June to September of that year before being blocked by the courts. In the absence of that ban, abortion remained legal in Ohio up to 21 weeks until the constitutional amendment came into force. With the amendment in place, Ohio now has one of the most permissive legal frameworks on abortion in the United States, though debates over its implementation continue.
The report highlights that while the overall number of abortions performed in 2024 stayed nearly the same, the number of out-of-state residents receiving care in Ohio increased for the third consecutive year. In 2024, 3,133 out-of-state patients obtained abortions in the state, accounting for about 14 percent of all procedures. This figure rose from 2,771 out-of-state patients in 2023, 1,287 in 2022, and 1,097 in 2021. Advocates for reproductive rights noted that while Ohio’s laws allowed these patients to access care, the need to travel across state lines underscored ongoing restrictions in nearby states.
The report also provides a detailed demographic breakdown of abortion patients in Ohio. A majority, or 55.7 percent, were between the ages of 20 and 29, followed by 32.6 percent aged 30 to 39, 5.9 percent aged 18 to 19, 3.2 percent over 40, and 2.6 percent under 18. Regarding race, 48.9 percent of patients were Black, 42.4 percent were white, 5.1 percent multiracial, 3.3 percent Asian or Pacific Islander, and 0.3 percent American Indian. The majority of patients, 83.4 percent, had never been married, while 10.4 percent were married, with smaller percentages divorced, separated, or widowed.
When examining the number of children patients already had, 36.5 percent reported having none, 25.3 percent had one child, and 37 percent had two or more. A small percentage, 1.2 percent, did not provide information. In terms of timing, 64.6 percent of abortions took place before nine weeks of gestation. Only 0.7 percent, or 146 abortions, were performed after 21 weeks. Medically necessary procedures accounted for just 0.4 percent of all abortions, with conditions cited including hemorrhage, diabetes, premature rupture of membranes, and cardiac disease. The remaining 99.6 percent were not performed due to medical necessity.
The data also reflects broader trends and the continuing debates in Ohio over abortion law. Some organizations that oppose abortion viewed the relatively unchanged numbers as a sign that the amendment has not led to an increase in procedures. Others pointed to the growing number of out-of-state patients as evidence that Ohio has become a destination for reproductive care because of more restrictive laws elsewhere.
In addition to the release of the 2024 annual report, a new law has expanded abortion reporting requirements in the state. Beginning in October, Ohio will create a public electronic dashboard that will update monthly with information similar to the annual reports. The dashboard will supplement, rather than replace, the yearly publications. It will be updated on the 15th of each month and will allow the public and policymakers to access more current data. Annual reports will also be published earlier in the year, in March instead of October, ensuring timelier insights into trends.
The steady numbers in 2024 suggest that Ohio’s reproductive rights amendment did not cause a surge in abortion rates but did reinforce access for residents and nonresidents alike. As the state moves forward with expanded reporting and easier access to data, the focus will likely remain on how Ohio’s policies impact both those within its borders and those traveling from neighboring states for care. The balance between legal protections, political debates, and public health considerations will continue to shape the state’s reproductive health landscape in the years to come.
