WCPO: Abortions dropped 15% across Ohio last year
UC abortion researcher points to Ohio's 'heartbeat law' as one reason
New data was recently released by the Ohio Department of Health showing a 15% decline on induced abortions in the state.
The data is part of an annual report, but the numbers do not include Ohio residents who obtained abortions across state lines.
Professor Danielle Bessett is an abortion researcher on faculty at the University of Cincinnati. Photo/provided.
The decline is clearly linked to the loss of access, University of Cincinnati sociology professor Danielle Bessett told WCPO in an Oct. 4, 2023 news segment.
“Once we hit the heartbeat ban, we actually see a real significant drop,” she said.
Ohio’s ‘heartbeat law’ took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer. The law bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected. A judge put a pause on the law, but it still had an impact, says Bessett.
Bessett conducts abortion research with the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network (OPEN), which tracks abortion numbers month by month. She is also affiliate faculty in the UC Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Abortion rights are on the ballot in Ohio in November.
Featured image at top of Ohio's statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Photo/iStock/gnagel
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Ohio recognizes colleges that support student veterans
June 8, 2026
Cleveland.com highlights an Ohio program that recognizes UC and other universities that provide support for student veterans.
Certain weather patterns can trigger migraines
June 8, 2026
Certain weather patterns really do trigger migraine headaches — and the incidence is more common in the Midwest. As WGN 9 in Chicago recently reported, researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine have identified two specific weather patterns associated with an increased risk of headaches.
Nanofiber multidrug offers new strategy for glioblastoma
June 8, 2026
Science and medical outlets highlight multidrug nanofiber to treat glioblastoma developed by the University of Cincinnati and Johns Hopkins Medicine.