Public Perceptions of Abortion Complications

( Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;229(4):421.e1–421.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.07.024) Although abortion rates are on the decline, around a quarter of women in the United States are expected to experience it in their lifetime. It is crucial to highlight the impact of misinformation in perpetuating the misconception that abortion poses significant health hazards, despite the well-established safety of medication and aspiration abortion methods. Previous studies have noted the prevalence of public misunderstandings regarding abortion risks, but there is still a lack of clarity on the specific complications that are commonly believed to be associated. Therefore, the present cross-sectional survey study aimed to illuminate the public’s perception of both short-term and long-term risks associated with abortion in the United States.