(COLUMBUS,OH) -Ohioabortions have reached an all-time low,
declining for the tenth consecutive year, according to the latest report
released by the Ohio Department of Health.
The 2010 Abortion Report revealed a decrease of approximately
600 abortions from 2009 for a state total of 28,123 abortions performed
in 2010.

The new statistics show that abortions inOhiohave
declined a total of 26% since the year 2000.  Since 1982,
when reported abortions peaked, the number of abortions in
Ohiohas decreased by nearly 40%.

“During the past decade, more and more women and families chose life inOhio,”
Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis said.
“While we will not rest until the number of reported abortions is zero,
each year these statistics reaffirm our statewide pro-life strategies
which focus on supporting young women through our pregnancy centers,
promoting adoption and identifying common sense legislative
solutions to end abortion.  Moms are being protected, more babies are alive
today and we can all agree that this is good public policy,” said Gonidakis.

The 2010 Ohio Abortion Report reports shows that of all abortions:

•           The majority occur in the metropolitan areas of
CuyahogaCountyat 36.8%,
Franklinat 19.2%, and
Hamilton at 17.8%;

•           The majority are performed on women younger
than 24 years old;

•           37.1% are performed upon black women
(while only 12.2% of the population is black);

•           56.6% occur during the first 9 weeks of gestation; and,

•           83% are performed upon women who are unmarried.

“Ohio Right to Life will continue enacting a targeted, truthful and
compassionate educational approach for young women and men
to combat the manipulative marketing campaigns of Planned
Parenthood,” said Gonidakis.

“In July, Governor John Kasich signed our late-term abortion ban.

Had this law been enacted last year, up to 629 more babies could be
alive inOhiotoday.  No longer will babies who can live outside their
mother’s womb be put to death inOhio,” said Gonidakis.

The 2010 abortion report can be reviewed in its entirety by
visiting www.ohiolife.org.