The effects of short-term variation in abortion funding on pregnancy outcomes.

The appropriations for North Carolina's abortion fund have proven inadequate during five of the years between 1980 and 1994. This on-again, off-again funding pattern provides a natural experiment for estimating the short-run effect of changes in the cost of abortions on the number of abortions to indigent women. Using an unusually detailed dataset, we estimate the effects of funding termination on the monthly abortion and birth rates. Overall, approximately one-third of pregnancies that would have resulted in an abortion, had state funds been available, are instead carried to term.

Evaluation of U.S. mortality patterns at old ages using the Medicare Enrollment Data Base.

PIP: This article evaluates the consistency of age-specific mortality patterns for older Americans using the Health Care Financing Administration's Medicare Enrollment Data Base (EDB). This was done by comparing the mortality curves across regions within race and sex groups, and national mortality curves of White men and women relative to African American and Puerto Rican men and women. Analysis revealed that both the period and cohort age at death data for Whites in the Medicare EDB appear to be very consistent, at least up to 95 years of age, perhaps higher for women. Above 100 years of age, the patterns become extremely inconsistent. However, questions remain about the age-specific mortality patterns of African Americans, especially the rates of men. In addition, the African-American mortality crossover is found in every period and cohort comparison of the national population. This crossover pattern is consistent, occurring at ages 85 or 86 in every cohort and period comparison. This data set is not sufficient to determine whether the African-American mortality crossover is real or due to misreporting. Further examination of the African American data is necessary before using them for substantive analysis.^ieng

Seasonality of induced abortion in North Carolina.

This paper examines the seasonality of induced abortion in North Carolina between 1980 and 1993. Distinct seasonal patterns are found, with a peak in February and a valley in September. These patterns correspond to the implicit seasonality of conceptions associated with the seasonality of birth pattern. One notable difference from the general pattern is among unmarried women aged 18 and younger. They have the February peak and an additional peak in August that may be associated with the summer vacation from school.

PIP: This study examined patterns of seasonality in induced abortion in North Carolina. Data were obtained for 1980 and 1993 from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics and reported by providers. Monthly frequencies were adjusted by dividing the number of abortions per month by the expected monthly totals, which were yearly totals multiplied by the ratio of days in a month to days in a year. Analysis relied on plots of the average number of abortions in each month for total population and by age, marital status, and race. Seasonal stability was tested across the years. Dummy variable regressions were estimated for total population and targeted groups for specific months. Regression models testing for seasonality were tested for 3 groups of women. Findings indicate that there were more abortions in winter months, with a peak in February. Abortions declined through April, and stabilized during May through August, at a level that was the stable average for the year. During September through December, abortions were fairly stable and lower. Patterns were similar between married and unmarried women. Almost 70% of abortions occurred between 7-10 weeks gestation. Seasonal patterns for unmarried women aged under 18 years differed. For these women, abortions peaked in August. Tests for stable seasonality revealed lack of uniformity across months. Abortions were higher in August for total population, Blacks and Whites. The seasonal pattern of abortions matched in general the seasonal patterns of conceptions and births in North Carolina and births in the US.