HARRISBURG, PA — The number of abortions performed in Pennsylvania decreased by 2.4% in 2004. According to data recently made available by the state Department of Health, there were 36,030 abortions in 2004, compared to 36,908 in 2003.
“Our Conference welcomes any decrease in the number of abortions,” said Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) Executive Director Dr. Robert J. O'Hara, Jr. “We are confident that the number will continue to decline if women are presented with accurate information about the life growing within them and the resources available to help them continue their pregnancy and raise their babies.” As in previous years, most abortions were done on women ages 20-24, unmarried and early in pregnancy. Nearly 92 percent of abortions were done in just seven counties: Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lehigh, and Philadelphia.
“There is clearly a need for a program like Pennsylvania's Real Alternatives,” according to PCC's Social Concerns Director Francis J. Viglietta. “This program offers women practical help in bringing their babies to term by providing counseling support as well as material assistance,” said Mr. Viglietta.
Real Alternatives is administered by the Department of Public Welfare and offers confidential assistance via its toll-free number (1-888-LIFE-AID) to all women, regardless of income, both before and after childbirth. In 2004, it served 17,570 women
In 2004, slightly over 46 percent of the abortions were performed on women who have had one or more previous abortions. There are 101 facilities in the Commonwealth registered with the Department of Health to perform abortions.
(This update courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.)
