After the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade three years ago, leading to the ban of abortion in multiple states, recent data from #WeCount reveals a surprising trend: the number of abortions in the US has increased, reaching 1.14 million in 2024, the highest in recent years. Despite bans, the demand for abortion care persists, with telehealth services playing a growing role. Telehealth abortions, where patients consult with providers virtually and receive pills by mail, have seen a significant uptick, constituting 25% of all abortions by the end of 2024.

Shield laws, enacted in several states to protect abortion providers from prosecution, have facilitated a surge in abortions in states with strict bans. The implementation of shield-law abortions has seen a substantial rise, with providers performing nearly 14,000 procedures by December 2024. This shift has improved access to abortion care, particularly in rural regions.

However, challenges loom as anti-abortion activists challenge the legality of shield laws, while efforts to review the safety of mifepristone, a common abortion drug, raise concerns. Despite these obstacles, experts like Dr. Angel Foster remain optimistic about the future of abortion access and anticipate continued growth in demand for services provided under shield laws.

The data from #WeCount underscores the resilience of abortion access in the face of restrictive laws, highlighting the importance of telehealth and shield laws in ensuring reproductive healthcare for those in need.