Report: Nearly Half of South Dakota Pregnancies Unintended
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A new report indicates that nearly half of South Dakota's pregnancies are unintended, and 13 percent of those result in abortions. The highest rates are among low-income women.
The report, by the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute, is meant to encourage states to promote the use of contraceptives. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, says in a statement that unintended pregnancy is a "serious public health issue."
She says the most effective way to reduce unintended pregnancies is to increase women's access to contraception.
The Argus Leader reports that anti-abortion advocates praise the abortion rate because it's lower than it is in neighboring state.
Tony Venhuizen, senior advisor to Gov. Dennis Daugaard, says the comparatively low figure is "good news."
2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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