Florida’s abortion rates have dropped for the first time since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
In 2024, abortions fell to 60,755, a 28% decrease from the 84,052 abortions that took place in 2023, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. This decline also comes after the enactment of a six-week abortion ban that began on May 1, 2024.
Leon County reported 950 abortions last year, while in 2023, 1151 abortions happened in the state’s capital. The biggest drop was in Dixie County, which decreased by 54%.
A receptionist at North Florida Women’s Services in Tallahassee, who requested to stay anonymous, says they have noticed a decrease in abortions.
“We still get a good amount of patients that come in, though, but definitely a decrease since that time (the passing of the six-week ban),” she said.
The “Heartbeat Protection Act,” or SB 300, is the six-week abortion ban that Gov. Ron Desantis signed into law in 2023, undoing the previous 15-week ban that was put into place in 2022.
During the 2024 general election, Amendment 4, which would have restored Florida’s abortion restrictions until “fetal viability,” which is usually reached at 24 weeks, did not receive the 60% it needed to pass, so the “Heartbeat Protection Act” stayed in place.
Although almost all counties in Florida had fewer abortions in 2024, Calhoun and Glades were two counties that had more cases but only by a few numbers. The data shows that Calhoun went from less than 20 in 2023 to 24, and Glades went from 21 to 26.
Neighboring states in the “Deep South” changed their abortion restrictions after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, leaving Florida as the last state in the Southeast to follow their lead by adding the now six-week ban.
Under Florida’s initial 15-week ban, people would come from out of state to receive an abortion because of the restrictions in other nearby states. Out-of-state abortions went up 15% from 2022 to 2023 because of this. Now, those rates fell by 51% to 3,754.
Natasha Gordon, an executive engagement coordinator for Bibb Mt. Zion Baptist Church, had an abortion in 1987.
“Back then, education on abortions was a taboo thing that was not widely available, and with these restrictions, it feels like we are reversing in time,” she said. “Nowadays, as opposed to back in my day, there’s too much literature and contraception vices out here for unplanned pregnancies,” the 56-year-old said.
“However, I just think that it is ludacris that when it comes to the health and wellbeing of the mother and/or the child, decisions are made by men who have yet to experience childbirth and/or the dangers of giving birth,” she added.
As far as advocacy goes, people in Florida are still fighting for reproductive rights. One advocacy group is FAMU Generation Action, an organization that, through a project called the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, educates and advocates for reproductive rights.
Lalia Jones, a public relations chair for the organization, says her concern regarding people getting resources and reproductive education is very high.
“If women feel as if they have no choice, they will not attempt to learn anymore,” she said.
She added that if students need healthcare or guidance, their direct messages are open to help.
“If students would like to be more involved in reproductive rights, it’s always great to educate yourselves on laws like the six-week ban and call your lawmakers,” the second-year criminal justice major said.