DISTANCE TRAVELED TO OBTAIN ABORTION CARE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS BEFORE AND AFTER THE DOBBS V JACKSON WOMEN’S HEALTH ORGANIZATION DECISION

Abstract

Objectives

We aimed to examine changes in one-way driving distance for people seeking abortion care at a single site before and after the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, and to identify factors associated with traveling ≥250 miles.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of abortions performed at a single abortion clinic in Southern Illinois for 12 months pre- and post-Dobbs using electronic scheduling data. We compared patient characteristics and one-way driving distance using chi-square. We used a multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with a one-way driving distance ≥250 miles.

Results

In total, 12,920 abortions occurred from June 2021 to June 2023: 4,666 pre-Dobbs and 8,254 post-Dobbs. The median one-way driving distance increased from 20 miles (IQR 14-118) to 142 miles (IQR 17-312) (p<0.001). Post-Dobbs, a smaller proportion of patients traveled <25 miles, while the absolute number remained stable: 2,617 (56.1%) vs. 2,891 (35.0%). Post-Dobbs, the number of patients traveling ≥250 miles increased by 701% (488 to 3,469). The proportion of out-of-state patients receiving abortions increased from 66.6% to 83.0% (p<0.001). Post-Dobbs, patients traveling≥250 miles for an abortion were more likely to be ≥12 weeks gestational duration (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.94, 95%CI 2.63-3.29), of Hispanic origin (aOR 2.78, 95%CI 2.20-3.51), and self-pay for their procedure (aOR 9.59, 95%CI 8.00-11.48).

Conclusions

Post-Dobbs, we observed a seven-fold increase in patients traveling≥250 miles for care at a single independent abortion clinic in Southern Illinois. These findings highlight the increased barriers to abortion access caused by restrictive legislation in the US.