9 These concerns are heightened in the context of abortion, where politics often trumps evidence. However, the unprecedented public health action to ‘bend the curve’ of the pandemic is raising concern over women’s ability to access this essential service, due to restrictions in movement and limited availability of non-COVID-related health services, including elective interventions.
6 7 The need for abortion is likely to have increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, given economic uncertainties, rising reports of sexual violence 8 and limited access to contraception. 4 5 Over a 1-month period, more than 34 000 abortions are estimated to take place in France, England and Wales together. 2 3 Abortion is one of the most common procedures for women of reproductive age in Europe, with an annual incidence rate ranging from 6.4/1000 women aged 15–44 years (Switzerland) to 19.2/1000 (Sweden) in countries with complete official statistics.
While extremely safe under recommended procedures, 1 it is responsible for substantial maternal morbidity and mortality when women do not have access to safe abortion care. Abortion is an essential component of women’s sexual and reproductive care.
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