Mar 16, 2018

Report: U.S. abortions are safer when not restricted by state laws

Girl holds up hand-lettered sign in front of Planned Parenthood. Photo: Andy Katz / Pacific Press / LightRocket via Getty Images

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reveals that abortions in the U.S. are safe, but "state laws and regulations can interfere," NPR reports. Co-chair of the committee who authored the report, Ned Calonge, said that 90% of abortions take place "in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy," and complications are "rare."

Why it matters: Different states have different regulations, which the report says can "create barriers to safe and effective care." For example, NPR reports that 27 states require a 24-hour waiting period to have an abortion, but CEO of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists told NPR that delays "can actually worsen the safety" of the woman.

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Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen
32 mins ago - Politics & Policy

America on edge as unrest rises

Louisville on Wednesday. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Rarely have national security officials, governors, tech CEOs and activists agreed as broadly and fervently as they do about the possibility of historic civil unrest in America.

Why it matters: The ingredients are clear for all to see — epic fights over racism, abortion, elections, the virus and policing, stirred by misinformation and calls to action on social media, at a time of stress over the pandemic.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Bryan Walsh, author of Future
1 hour ago - Health

The long-term pain of the mental health pandemic

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

A less visible but still massive trauma caused by the coronavirus is becoming clear: our mental health is suffering with potentially long-lasting consequences.

Why it matters: Mental health disorders that range from schizophrenia to depression and anxiety exert a severe cost on personal health and the economy. Addressing that challenge may require out-of-the-box solutions.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Axios
2 hours ago - Axios on HBO

Preview: "Axios on HBO" interviews Bob Woodward

On the next episode of "Axios on HBO," journalist Bob Woodward tells Axios National Political Correspondent Jonathan Swan why he spoke out about President Trump being the "wrong man for the job."

  • "I did not want to join the ranks of the Senate Republicans who know that Trump is the wrong man for the job, but won't say it publicly," Woodward said.

Catch the full interview on Monday, Sept. 28 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on all HBO platforms.