CDC Delays Abortion Report as Agency Faces Internal Turmoil

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has postponed the release of its annual abortion surveillance report, which includes crucial data reflecting the impact of recent changes in abortion access across the country. This year’s report, typically published in late November, is now set to be released in spring 2024 due to ongoing challenges within the agency.

Each year, states voluntarily submit their abortion data to the CDC for national analysis. This reporting has been a consistent practice since 1969. The CDC’s delay is attributed to a decision by former Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry, who allegedly directed staff to return state-submitted abortion data instead of analyzing it. However, Houry disputes this claim, stating that significant staff reductions at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) left the CDC without the necessary personnel to conduct the analysis.

In April 2023, HHS laid off thousands of employees, prompting Houry to lead a transition management team aimed at mitigating the effects of these layoffs. During this period, HHS implemented a policy requiring all external communications, including those with state and local health departments, to receive approval from politically appointed staff. Houry claimed that the agency was fully aware that the abortion surveillance program could not continue under the constraints of reduced funding and staffing.

An HHS official indicated that Houry did not adhere to the new communication protocols before halting the abortion data project, but the agency has not clarified how or when it learned of her actions. The situation escalated in August when Houry and other senior officials resigned in protest following the dismissal of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez, which they described as indicative of censorship and failures in communication.

The forthcoming CDC report is expected to include data through 2023, marking the first complete year following the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which removed the federal right to abortion. As the CDC’s report is delayed, independent researchers have begun tracking abortion trends in the United States. The #WeCount report, published by the Society for Family Planning, indicates that the number of abortions has continued to rise post-Dobbs.

In the first half of 2025, nearly 99,000 abortions were conducted each month, reflecting a 4% increase from the previous year. Notably, the rise in abortions is largely attributed to an increase in medication abortions facilitated through telehealth services. The #WeCount data reveals that 27% of all abortions in the US healthcare system were conducted via telehealth in early 2025, compared to less than 10% during the same period in 2023.

Telehealth services for medication abortions have been particularly significant, with many now provided under shield laws. These laws offer legal protections to healthcare providers in states where abortion remains legal, allowing them to prescribe medication abortion drugs to individuals in states with more restrictive laws. In June 2025, approximately 15,000 abortions were performed under these shield laws.

Dr. Alison Norris, co-chair of the #WeCount research project and professor at The Ohio State University’s College of Public Health, emphasized the ongoing need for access to abortion care despite legislative bans. “Abortion bans don’t stop people from needing and pursuing essential abortion care,” she stated. Norris noted that while telehealth is helping some individuals access necessary services, it is not a universal solution. Access to healthcare remains heavily influenced by geographic location and financial resources.

Despite the age of the CDC’s abortion data compared to more recent figures from research organizations like the Guttmacher Institute and #WeCount, experts highlight its importance for understanding long-term trends. Houry remarked on the value of the CDC data, noting that it is collected from health departments, anonymized, and consistent in its methodology, allowing for effective trend analysis over time. However, she acknowledged that the recent layoffs have hindered the department’s ability to maintain this critical work.

As the CDC navigates these internal challenges, the delayed report raises concerns about the availability of accurate and timely data on abortion trends in the US, particularly in the wake of transformative legal changes.