COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, the Ohio Department of Health released the 2016 Ohio Abortion Report, revealing a decrease in the number of abortions last year.  This marks the lowest level since 1976, when record-keeping first began. A total of 20,672 abortions were reported. 

“This report is further proof of how successful the pro-life movement has been in Ohio” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “This past year alone, we saw 304 lives saved from the pain and suffering of abortion. We continue to advance groundbreaking legislation to protect the unborn, and we thank Governor John Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly for their role in promoting a culture of life in Ohio. By enacting common sense and life-saving initiatives Ohio is protecting both mothers and their babies.”

Since 2010, half of the state’s abortion facilities have been shuttered or closed voluntarily.  In the last 7 years, Ohio Right to Life has successfully advocated for 19 pro-life initiatives which were signed into law by Governor Kasich. Currently, Ohio Right to Life is advocating in favor of the Dismemberment Abortion Ban and the Down Syndrome Non-Discrimination Act, which will ensure that abortions in Ohio continue to hit record lows.

Ohio’s diverse pro-life movement should pause and reflect on today’s abortion report. The many people who volunteered and prayed from our chapters across Ohio are the foundation of the pro-life movement and the positive thrust of our success.  The countless Ohioans who bring their pro-life beliefs into action by volunteering at pregnancy centers, sidewalk counseling, and educating are also a big part of the lower number of abortions in Ohio.

“The historic low of abortions reported today indicates that the culture of life we’ve strived for is becoming a reality,” said Gonidakis. “That being said, Ohio Right to Life is whole-heartedly committed to fighting for the sanctity of human life, until the Abortion Report is unnecessary because there are no more abortions committed in Ohio.”

To read the 2016 Ohio Abortion Report, click here.

To download the audio file of President Mike Gonidakis’ quote, click here.

Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.

###