| Title: |
Demand for Medication Abortion among Public University Students in Washington |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Taylor Riley (ORCID 0000-0002-4963-0455); Emily M. Godfrey (ORCID 0000-0003-2408-7828); Erin Angelini; Yasaman Zia; Kels Cook; Jennifer E. Balkus |
| Source: |
Journal of American College Health. 2025 73(3):1173-1177. |
| Availability: |
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
5 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
College Students; Drug Therapy; Pregnancy; School Health Services; Universities; Access to Health Care; State Legislation |
| Geographic Terms: |
Washington |
| DOI: |
10.1080/07448481.2023.2245481 |
| ISSN: |
0744-8481; 1940-3208 |
| Abstract: |
Provision of medication abortion in student health centers is safe and effective, but no public universities in Washington state provide such services. We estimate demand for medication abortion and describe barriers to care among students at four-year public universities in Washington. Using publicly available data, we estimated that students at the 11 Washington public universities obtained between 549 and 932 medication abortions annually. Students must travel an average of 16 miles (range:1-78) or 73 minutes via public transit (range:22-284) round trip to the nearest abortion-providing facility. Average wait time for the first available appointment was 10 days (range:4-14), and average cost was $711. Public universities can play an integral role in expanding abortion access post-Dobbs by providing medication abortion, effectively reducing barriers to care for students. The state legislature can pass legislation requiring universities to provide medication abortion, similar to what other states also protective of abortion rights have done. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1473154 |
| Database: |
ERIC |