Trends over 50 years with liberal abortion laws in the Nordic countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the 1970s the Nordic countries liberalized their abortion laws.

Objective

We assessed epidemiological trends for induced abortion on all Nordic countries, considered legal similarities and diversities, effects of new medical innovations and changes in practical and legal provisions during the subsequent years.

Methods

New legislation strengthened surveillance of induced abortion in all countries and mandated hospitals that performed abortions to report to national abortion registers. Published data from the Nordic abortion registers were considered and new comparative analyses done. The data cover complete national populations.

Results and conclusions

After an increase in abortion rates during the first years following liberalization, the gene

SUBMITTER: Skjeldestad FE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11236142 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature