For more on abortion in the black community, visit www.protectingblacklife.org

Telling it like it is

Press Release MCFL 12/08/08

Legal Abortion and Premature Births in the Black Community

The rate of premature births to black mothers is startling and is caused by the high rate of induced abortions in the black community, according to a report in the current Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons.  Black mothers have three times as many babies born before thirty two weeks, and four times as many babies born before twenty eight weeks, as the population as a whole. Premature birth is the primary cause of cerebral palsy and many other medical, developmental, and emotional problems.

Black women make up 12.5% of the female population and have 38.2% of induced abortions.  The study compared the rise in prematurity following legalization of abortion in the US and the reduction in prematurity in Poland after abortion was made illegal.  It found direct correlations.  Then it looked for any other risk factors in the black community that might cause the large disparity and found none sufficient.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life shares the public’s concern over the serious problems caused by so many premature births in the black community.  Anne Fox, President of the organization, states, “The plight of so many black mothers - to have lost a baby through abortion and then to have another baby born prematurely with such a poor prognosis - is heart rending.   Society must help them to know the consequences of choosing to have abortions and must support them to choose life.”

Research Issues: Minority Abortions