Study: US abortions now at lowest rate since 1974

The number of abortions performed in the United States has fallen to the lowest rate since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court legalized the practice in the historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, according to a new study. The total number of abortions performed in 2014 hovered around 926,000, showing a gradual, yet consistent, downward trend over the past two decades. Abortion supporters say this is a win for reproductive rights because it exemplifies the decreasing rates in unintended pregnancy and a declining birthrate. "It shows that we're finally doing a better job of helping women get access to birth control that's affordable and that's high-quality,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood.