(CNN)Abortion drug internet search traffic increased 162% more than expected, a record high in the days following the draft Has been reached. According to a new study, the US Supreme Court's decision to have an abortion was leaked in May.
Drug-based abortion, also known as pill-based abortion or medical abortion, is a method of ending pregnancy by taking two pills rather than performing a surgical procedure. According to a February study by the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive think tank, an estimated 54% of abortions in the United States used this method in 2020.
In this study, Bryn Mawr and the University of California, San Diego researcher "abortion pill" and the names of actual abortion drugs (mifepristone / mifepristone, misoprostol / cytotech), etc. I researched Google's search trends. They examined the data from January 1, 2004 to May 8, 2022, when Google began collecting information.
During the post-leak period, "We have responded to the maximum number of Google searches for miscarriage drugs in the United States." Approximately 350,000 Internet searches per week from May 1st to May 8th. There was.
In states where abortion laws are severely restricted, the number of searches has increased significantly. Nebraska has the highest cumulative search traffic 72 hours after the decision leak, with Iowa. Missouri followed.
This study cannot confirm whether someone tried to secure the pill or simply educate themselves about the pill. Researchers say the drug is He said that prescriptions are needed and use is restricted in some states, but "Internet search is for people who stock up on the safety and efficacy of these medicines, how they are obtained, or restrictions on access. May reflect. "
"The growing interest in abortion drugs should warn doctors that many patients may pursue this option with or without abortion drugs," the study said. increase. “It is imperative that women have online access to information on where to obtain legal and safe abortion medications, including telemedicine consultations with medical professionals.”
Supreme Court Since the ruling overturned the Law vs. Wade case, some drug providers have already stated that demand for medicines has increased. This week, US Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra has pledged to protect access to assisted reproductive technology, including possible steps to increase access to drug-induced abortion.
Besera's announcement on Tuesday included some specific steps to change access to abortion as the right to abortion was no longer guaranteed at the federal level, but he. Insisted that his department was aiming for more.
"I apologize to all the affected Americans for not having a silver bullet, as I said, but what I'm telling you is The more we dig, the more we do everything we can with what we have found to ensure the protection of women's assisted reproductive technology services. "