The latest data from Ohio and Indiana shows promising signs for ending abortion, but there is still plenty of work to be done.

The second quarter report from Indiana’s health department shows there were 1,937 abortions between April 1 and June 30, 2023. This is about 600 fewer abortions for the same time period from the year prior. However, a few things must be noted.

First, there were still 1,937 pre-born babies killed during this time period. While the drop in abortions is an improvement, that is still too many lives lost. Second, these numbers may not capture women who had chemical abortion drugs mailed to them from online orders or traveled to other states, such as Michigan, for abortion.

However, on a positive note, this drop in abortions occurred before the state’s near-total abortion prohibition went into effect. The new law, finally cleared by the courts, also shuts down all abortion facilities in the state. Approximately 96 percent of all abortions for this quarter occurred at facilities, such as Planned Parenthood. It remains to be seen if hospitals in the state will abort the same number of babies.

Ohio’s abortion decrease

Indiana’s neighbor Ohio saw similar positive news in its latest report covering all of 2022, with the same caveats.

“From 2021 to 2022, the state saw a 15 percent decrease in ‘induced pregnancy terminations,’ according to the state agency that has tracked abortion statistics since 1976,” the Ohio Capital Journal reported in its analysis of the data.

“The 2022 Ohio abortion rate was 7.8 per 1,000 resident women ages 15-44 years old, a decline from the 9.3 rate in 2021,” the state also reported. “The 2022 Ohio resident abortion ratio was 134 abortions per 1,000 live births, a decline from the 160 ratio in 2021.”

Again, this is a step in the right direction, while still a devastating loss of 18,488 pre-born babies. A positive step for Ohio might be that this report includes the pre-Dobbs period, when the state could not enforce its limits on abortion.

Still, Ohio and Indiana have more work to do to restrict abortion and protect pre-born life.

These states, along with organizations, can also continue to provide material, financial, and other support to families to help them choose life. Ohioans in particular have the opportunity on Nov. 7 to vote against Issue 1, a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion access in the state’s constitution.

Thankfully, there are plenty of pregnancy resource centers in the states, along with other nonprofits and government programs to help moms, dads, and babies thrive.