A new peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Public Health reveals how Texas’s 2021 abortion ban—Senate Bill 8—disproportionately affected access to facility-based abortion care for Texans under 25.
The research analyzed data from Texas and six neighboring states, comparing abortion rates before and after SB8 took effect. The findings are clear:
- Minors under 18 experienced a 26% decrease in total (in-state and out-of-state) facility-based abortions.
- Young adults aged 18–24 saw a nearly 20% drop.
- Even Texans aged 25–29 were impacted, with a 17% decrease.
While the law restricted access across age groups, the impact was steepest for the youngest. These disparities likely stem from existing structural barriers—such as cost, transportation, and parental consent requirements—that make access especially difficult for youth.
As Texas and other states continue to enforce early-pregnancy abortion bans, it’s critical to understand how these policies affect different populations. Research like this helps highlight the need for equitable healthcare access that supports the autonomy and well-being of young people.
Read the full study in AJPH:
Changes in Facility-Based Abortion Care Among Texas Resident Minors and Young Adults After a 2021 Abortion Ban
Read more in KUT and the Houston Chronicle