A study in the American Journal of Public Health highlights the impact of where you live on accessing abortion services. Researchers looked at over 8,400 people’s medical records from 21 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. They found that the farther you live from an abortion clinic, the more likely you are to use telehealth for medication abortions. Specifically, there’s a 61% higher chance of choosing telehealth for every 100 additional miles from a clinic.
This shift toward telehealth is most common among people in areas with lower income, according to the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index. It’s also most popular with younger women, ages 20–29, who don’t have children and who are early in their pregnancies, less than six weeks. Many of these users choose telehealth because it costs less and is more convenient than visiting a clinic.
Key Takeaways
New Mexico’s progressive abortion policies are highlighted by the growth of telehealth services, which provide convenient and affordable access to medication abortions for people in areas with limited clinic options.
- People living farther from an abortion clinic are more likely to use telehealth for medication abortions, with a 61% higher chance for every 100 additional miles.
- Telehealth is most popular among low-income individuals and younger women (ages 20-29) who don’t have children and are early in their pregnancies.
- New Mexico’s open abortion policies make it a safe haven for reproductive care, with a new clinic set to offer a range of services, including telehealth options.
Telehealth and medication abortions on the rise
The research showed that more people are using medication abortions, which now make up 63% of all abortions in the U.S. Interestingly, 20% of these are done through telehealth. More people are turning to telehealth to get abortion pills like mifepristone and misoprostol due to state restrictions or bans on abortion services.
Between 2020 and 2022, requests for these telehealth medication abortions increased 15 times, with over 1,000 requests each month. Even after this period, the demand keeps growing, with doctors in the U.S. handling almost 10,000 telehealth abortion requests each month, especially in states with strict abortion laws.
Abortion access in New Mexico
As more states tighten their abortion laws, New Mexico is becoming an important place for abortion services. Thanks to its open policies and a key Supreme Court ruling that removed local bans, it’s now a safe haven for those looking for reproductive care. A new clinic in southern New Mexico will soon offer a wide range of services like medical and surgical abortions, birth control, and cancer screenings. This clinic should open by early 2026, helping both residents and visitors from other states.
New Mexico’s support for reproductive rights is very different from the strict laws in other places. By providing telehealth and in-person services, the state plays a key role in making sure everyone can get the healthcare they need, no matter where they live or how much money they make.
