Abortion trends by age indicate that since 1973, abortion ratios have been higher for adolescents aged . For females aged <19 years and those aged >40 years, the abortion ratio generally increased from 1974 through the early 1980s and declined thereafter. The abortion ratio for women aged 20--34 years (those with the highest fertility rates) has declined slightly since the mid-1980s. The abortion ratio for women aged 35--39 years has declined gradually over time

As in previous years, the abortion ratio in 2004 varied substantially by age. Although the abortion ratio was highest for adolescents in 2004, since the mid-1980s, the ratio had gradually declined for those aged <15 href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5609a1.htm#fig3">Figure 3). Other studies also have indicated a decrease in birth rates for females aged 10--14 and 15--19 years during 1991--2003 and a decrease in adolescent pregnancy rates during 1990--2000 (26--34). However, abortion rates have not varied equally among women of all races and ethnicities. Abortion rates are declining more slowly among adolescents who are not enrolled in school (10,34).

CDC Paper on Abortion Access, 2002.