d
Statewide Look:
We are grateful that the number of abortions that took place in Ohio slightly declined in 2024 as compared to 2023. The total number of abortions performed in Ohio (21,829) dropped by 171 from 2023 (22,000). Overall, Ohio women made up a smaller number of those having abortions (18,696 – or about 85% in 2024, compared to 19,229 – or about 87% in 2023) with an increase to 3000 women traveling to Ohio to obtain an abortion. This trend is reflected by the increase of abortions performed in Franklin and Hamilton Counties (see Abortions by Community below) – as both locations have proximity to states with more protections for moms and babies and surgical and medical abortion clinics that were continuously operating.

We are cautious about placing too much confidence in these numbers. The number of mail-order abortions available to Ohio women has increased exponentially in the past two years and is not going to be visible within state analytics. In addition, it is possible that more healthcare practitioners are casually offering abortions within their practice without following reporting requirements. We have some anecdotal evidence that may suggest this is the case.

One such piece of evidence is the dramatic decline in the number of abortions that happen through non-surgical means, specifically the abortion pill. Use of the abortion pill has exploded – from less than 5% a few years ago to as high as 80% locally in recent years. Last year, statewide reported use of the abortion pill was about 46% - a slight increase from 2023 (45%). At the same time, we have also seen the rate of post-abortion complications reported by providers explode – more than quadrupling (186 in 2024 from 41 in 2023). Examples of post-abortion complications in 2024 include perforated uterus, cervical laceration, hemorrhage, incomplete or failed abortion, hematometra, and infections.

It is also worth noting that, once again, Black women were disproportionately impacted by abortion. Of the total abortions, 9228 (42%) were performed on Black women and 8934 (41%) were performed on white women. Ninety-seven abortions (0.4%) were reported as being performed for medical necessity, with necessity described as diabetes (2), MS (1), hemorrhage (3), respiratory failure (2), pre-eclampsia (4), inevitable abortion (9), fatty liver (1), infection (2), premature rupture of membranes (19), heart disease (9), and other (52).
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Abortions Locally
Abortions are reported not only by the location where the procedure was performed, but by the county (and zip code) where the mother lived.

In looking at the Greater Columbus MSA (metropolitan statistical area), we see some modest increases in the number of local abortions, apart from Madison and Morrow Counties, which saw a decrease. This trend is also reflected in the number of abortions that took place in Central Ohio (next table) but further suggests that we are increasingly an abortion destination.

The data available also suggests that distribution of the abortion pill, while increasing in total numbers locally, has become a smaller percentage of the overall abortions performed (72% in 2024, compared to 81% in 2023). This far outpaces the statewide percentage - which was 45% in 2023 and 46% in 2024. Abortion pill education and reversal information will continue to be a top priority of ours.

Traditionally, Greater Columbus Right to Life has served the Greater Columbus MSA counties (shown below), but in recent years we have expanded to serve a large portion of central and southeast Ohio where there is no other organized pro-life organization.  Note to those living outside of the MSA area – the numbers for your county and zip code are available in the full report and in the months and weeks to come we will expand our look to your counties.
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That said, while the number of abortions has risen overall in the MSA, especially when compared to 2022 (when heartbeat protections were in law) and 2023 (prior to Ohio’s Constitutional Amendment), we still see a reduction from 2021 in the general trend. It is important to remember that these numbers are just a snapshot, it is helpful to share this information with our partners providing pregnancy help, post abortion healing, and family support in our communities.

​Abortions by Community
Most abortions that are reported to the Ohio Department of Health currently occur at one of the surgical or non-surgical clinics located in the five counties that correspond to Columbus (Franklin), Cincinnati (Hamilton), Cleveland (Cuyahoga), Dayton (Montgomery), Cuyahoga Falls (Summit), and Toledo (Lucas). This year, we also saw abortions happening in our MSA to include Pickaway and Delaware Counties. We also included Athens, as we have been monitoring the Planned Parenthood expansion to offer the abortion pill in Athens County in about November of 2023. This is around the same time that a family medicine practice started offering abortions in Delaware County (Lewis Center). We also have seen a significant increase in the number of abortions happening in other counties. We will take a closer look at this in weeks and months to come.
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Below we look at abortions by where they are being performed. The number of abortions taking place in Franklin County has significantly increased in the past two years, exceeding even 2021 numbers. This is also true for Hamilton County (Cincinnati) and, to a lesser extent, Montgomery County (Dayton).

In Conclusion
What does this mean? Well, we know that 60 babies are aborted each day (on average) in Ohio and 420 each week. That means that for each hour that passes, about 2.5 babies will die in Ohio. For those living in Central Ohio, that is about 12 a day, or 82 each week.
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It is grim, but it is not without hope. Greater Columbus Right to Life and pro-life organizations around the state are working with partners in the pregnancy help, abortion pill reversal, and post-abortion healing communities to get more information and life-affirming help to the people who need it most. Churches, schools, and families have an opportunity – and an obligation, to speak the truth about the dignity of every human life. The 2024 abortion statistics report is both a reminder and a rallying cry that we cannot count on the laws to protect unborn children any longer, but we can count on you. Especially with increase in out-of-state abortions happening locally, we have not only an opportunity but an obligation to show up on the sidewalk with renewed constancy and faithfulness. The women who are traveling here for an abortion are not likely to encounter the community outreach from our pregnancy help centers, which means that we need to continuously renew our efforts.

To download this report as a PDF, click here. You can download current and historical Ohio Department of Health Abortion Reports here.

To schedule a free speaker or training at your church, school, or organization, visit our Speaker's Bureau page. You can also sign up for 40 Days for Life or learn about opportunities to work for or Volunteer with us.

Finally, you can help support this work as well as our efforts to train and equip the community to respond to the abortion crisis by donating today.

​Note: This entry was updated at 3:45 to adjust minor typographical errors and expand on information provided, including the number of abortion pills used in central Ohio.

Hamilton Co Judge Strikes Down Ohio Physician-Only Requirement for Abortion Pills: Decision a Threat to Women's Safety

COLUMBUS: In a major development following the passage of Ohio’s abortion rights amendment, Judge Alison Hatheway of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas has issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of Ohio’s law requiring that abortion pills be prescribed only by licensed physicians. The law, designed to ensure proper medical oversight and emergency care, is now halted pending final court resolution.

The lawsuit, filed by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, argued that Ohio's physician-only rule violates the newly adopted “Issue 1” constitutional amendment, which broadly protects reproductive decision-making. Judge Hatheway agreed, finding the law “likely unconstitutional” and halting enforcement during ongoing litigation.

We are sounding the alarm about the risks posed by this decision.

Greater Columbus Right to Life (GCRTL) has tracked more than 950 instances over the past 14 years where Ohio women were injured by medication abortion--including at least 120 cases in 2024 alone. These figures are based on the abortion providers’ own complication reporting to the state and reflect adverse outcomes like severe hemorrhaging, infection, and incomplete abortions requiring surgical intervention.

“The data speaks for itself,” said Beth Vanderkooi, President of Greater Columbus Right to Life. “The state has a duty to safeguard women’s health and enforce laws that ensure abortion providers follow even the most basic medical standards. While we anticipate the state will appeal this ruling, in the meantime, regulatory and licensing entities must strongly enforce existing health, safety, and reporting laws to protect vulnerable patients.”
Removing physician oversight, particularly for multi-step medication abortions with known risks is reckless. The change further opens the door for lesser-trained staff or remote prescribing practices via telehealth, leaving women without appropriate in-person care during complications.
GCRTL continues its work to educate those seeking abortion and the public about abortion pill reversal, a protocol that uses the hormone progesterone to counteract the effects of the first abortion drug, mifepristone. Thousands of women nationwide and dozens locally have successfully reversed medication abortions and carried healthy pregnancies to term.

Women who have started a mifepristone abortion and are seeking help can call the Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline at 1-877-558-0333 or visit abortionpillreversal.com for assistance.

As legal battles over Ohio’s post-Issue 1 abortion landscape continue, we remain committed to protecting both mother and child through compassionate care, legislative and grassroots advocacy, and public accountability.

Greater Columbus Right to Life has authored a letter, cosigned by Ohio Right to Life and Right to Life of Northeast Ohio supporting Ohio's efforts with Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grants. 

The letter commends Ohio’s continued prioritization of maternal and infant health, particularly in the areas of reducing infant mortality, promoting safe sleep, and improving access to prenatal and postpartum care. These goals align with our core mission to walk alongside pregnant women and new mothers, especially those in vulnerable circumstances, providing the resources and compassionate support needed to carry pregnancies to term and parent confidently.

It goes on to express appreciation for Title V’s recognition of community-based support, and urges ongoing and expanded collaboration with pregnancy resource centers, maternity housing programs, and family support services that have a proven record of increasing health outcomes and reducing adverse outcomes. These organizations often serve as critical access points for women who are not engaged in the traditional healthcare system.

We encourage the state to continue expanding safe sleep education, especially in underserved communities, and to leverage trusted, community-based partners - including pregnancy centers - to deliver these messages in accessible.

Finally, we advocate for robust support for father engagement, early childhood development, and access to essential services for children with special healthcare needs - all of which are crucial to building strong, resilient families.

Read the letter here.
​You can also review the HRSA snapshot of Ohio's program here.

Rooted in Truth, Anchored in Hope: Public Policy and the Road to 2033

As we pass the halfway point of 2025, Greater Columbus Right to Life is celebrating some legislative victories and grassroots momentum that bring us closer to our bold and prayerful vision: ending abortion in Central Ohio by 2033. These successes are not just policy achievements - they are beacons on a path anchored in truth and hope, reminding us that lasting cultural change is possible when we remain faithful, courageous, and united.

From the halls of the Statehouse to the steps of the Capitol, GCRTL speaks truth into a culture clouded by confusion. The abortion amendment in our Constitution means it won’t be easy, but we are not going to back down. We’ve seen victories this year that show us what is possible when we keep our eyes and hearts fixed on our mission.

Ohio Budget Bill (HB 96): Advancing a Culture of Life
Ohio’s newly passed state budget (HB 96) is a show of commitment by Governor DeWine and the leadership of the Ohio Legislature. It reflects a profound commitment to supporting women, protecting children, and strengthening families. Key provisions include:

• $2.5 million annually for a new ultrasound initiative and up to $20 million for the Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy Program, both of which will directly support pregnancy help organizations and ministries that do not provide or refer for abortion.
• $20 million for Responsible Fatherhood Initiatives, recognizing the essential role fathers play in the family and in breaking cycles of generational poverty and trauma.
• $15.6 million for risk-avoidance education in Ohio schools, equipping students with tools to make life-affirming decisions rooted in dignity and self-worth.
• Provisions of the Innocence Act, which fights the exploitation of children online, bans non-consensual “deepfake” sexual content, and requires age verification for obscene websites.
• An updated requirement that the Ohio Department of Health publish monthly abortion data and release its annual report by March, providing earlier and clearer insight into abortion trends in our state.

It was not a perfect bill in many ways, but in this aspect, it reflects the Ohio we are working to build: one where every life is seen, supported, and protected.

The Ohio House Pro-Life Caucus: Legislative Champions for Life
This spring also saw the formation of the Ohio House Pro-Life Caucus, chaired by Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), who brings both legislative leadership and real-world experience as the director of a pregnancy help center. The caucus includes 31 state representatives who are committed to building policies that reflect the inherent dignity of every person—from conception to natural death.
We look forward to working with these lawmakers to advance our legislative priorities.

Standing in the Heat for Truth
Just before the U.S. Senate’s critical vote on the federal budget, the pro-life faithful rallied with GCRTL in nearly 100-degree heat to demand the defunding of Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. Your signs, your voices, and your prayers made it clear: Ohioans want real healthcare, not abortion wrapped in euphemisms and funded with taxpayer dollars.
Federal Policy: Progress and Persistence
Recent national developments have brought a mix of encouragement and frustration:

• Title X Freeze Bears Fruit: The Trump-era freeze on Title X funds for abortion providers is already having impact. Planned Parenthood’s Euclid Avenue facility in Cleveland is shutting down.
• The “Big, Beautiful” Budget Bill (BBB): The latest federal budget included a one-year freeze on approximately $500 million in Planned Parenthood funding. While it is a positive step, it is a far cry from the original 10-year defunding plan that could have saved over 123,000 unborn lives per year.
• While the BBB was recently signed into law by President Trump, it has – not surprisingly – been subjected to legal action.
• U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of the District of Massachusetts issued a 14‑day temporary restraining order halting enforcement of the Medicaid “defund” provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB) - a measure aimed at cutting funding to entities that provide abortions, most notably Planned Parenthood. The legal work is strategically weak - relying on perceived “punishment” framing and constitutional arguments that fail to address that the restriction merely preserves taxpayer neutrality on abortion funding. It is Congress’s prerogative to allocate federal funds without being compelled to subsidize entities.

The path forward is clear. We anticipate that the Supreme Court will hold – as it has recently – that a district judge can’t issue a national TRO and that in the case of spending authority approved by Congress and signed by the President is clear. After that -  If we can freeze funding for a year, we can eliminate it entirely. That means we will continue to encourage legislative leaders to reintroduce their original 10-year plan and more.

Title V Maternal & Child Health Block Grant: A Model for Collaboration
GCRTL authored a coalition letter supporting Ohio’s use of Title V funds to expand maternal and infant health services. Our message was simple: community-based pregnancy centers and support programs are vital partners in improving health outcomes, especially for women outside the traditional healthcare system.
We applaud the state’s focus on maternal mental health, father engagement, safe sleep education, support for special healthcare needs, and early childhood development. These are the wraparound solutions that create a culture where life is truly welcomed—and abortion becomes unthinkable.
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Looking Toward 2033: A Vision of Hope
We are committed to ending abortion in Ohio by 2033. That is our vision. It is ambitious, but possible. It is anchored in the belief that every life is sacred, every woman deserves better than abortion, and every community can be transformed by the power of truth and hope and the Gospel of Life. Because of your support and prayers, we have been able to keep up our phenomenal grassroots work while also advancing public policy that supports the work we are doing on the sidewalks, with churches, and in our culture. Thank you. 

Note: This article was updated 7.8.25 with information regarding the TRO of the BBB. Further updates will be noted.