Abortions reach highest ever number in England and Wales

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7512.310-f

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Allison Barrett

Numbers of abortions performed in England and Wales are the highest ever, reports the Department of Health.

Data released in a report by the department on 27 July show that 185 400 abortions were done in England and Wales in 2004, an increase of 2.1% on the 2003 figure. The age standardised rate of abortions in 2004 was 17.8 per 1000 resident women aged between 15 and 44, up from 17.5 in 2003.

The overall numbers show a continuing upward trend in rates of abortion in England and Wales. Although the rate dipped below 15 per 1000 women in the early 1990s it has risen steadily since.

However, the rate among teenagers fell slightly from 18.2 per 1000 women aged under 18 …