The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Fiona de Londras; Amanda Cleeve; Maria Rodriguez; Alana Farrell; Magdalena Furgalska; Antonella Lavelanet

doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13620-z

The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Fiona de Londras, Amanda Cleeve, Maria Rodriguez, Alana Farrell, Magdalena Furgalska , Antonella Lavelanet

Birmingham Law School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

This review follows an established methodology for integrating human rights to address knowledge gaps related to the health and non-health outcomes of mandatory waiting periods (MWPs) for access to abortion. MWP is a requirement imposed by law, policy, or practice, to wait a specified amount of time between requesting and receiving abortion care. Recognizing that MWPs “demean[] women as competent decision-makers”, the World Health Organization recommends against MWPs. International human rights bodies have similarly encouraged states to repeal and not to introduce MWPs, which they recognize as operating as barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. This review of 34 studies published between 2010 and 2021, together with international human rights law, establishes the health and non-health harms of MWPs for people seeking abortion, including delayed abortion, opportunity costs, and disproportionate impact. Impacts on abortion providers include increased workloads and system costs.

Original language	English
Article number	1232
Number of pages	13
Journal	BMC Public Health
Volume	22
Issue number	1
Early online date	21 Jun 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13620-z
Publication status	Published - 21 Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

Abortion
Cooling off periods
Mandatory waiting periods
Reflection periods
Reproductive rights
Sexual and reproductive health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1186/s12889-022-13620-zLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

deLondrasF2022impactFinal published version, 1.04 MBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13620-zLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

7 Article

The Impact of Gestational Age Limits on Abortion-Related Outcomes: A Synthesis of Legal and Health Evidence
de Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M. I., Farrell, A., Furgalska , M. & Lavelanet, A. F., 3 Feb 2025, In: BMC Global and Public Health. 3, 15 p., 7.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
21 Downloads (Pure)
The impact of third-party authorization requirements on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
de Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M. I., Farrell, A., Furgalska, M. & Lavelanet, A. F., 23 Oct 2023, In: BMC Public Health. 23, 1, 16 p., 2065.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
87 Downloads (Pure)
The impact of ‘conscientious objection’ on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
De Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M., Farrell, A., Furgalska , M. & Lavelanet, A., 1 Mar 2023, In: Health Policy. 129, 12 p., 104716.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
177 Downloads (Pure)
The impact of criminalisation on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
de Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M., Farrell, A., Furgalska, M. & Lavelanet, A., 29 Dec 2022, In: BMJ Global Health. 7, 12, 13 p., e010409.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
84 Downloads (Pure)
The impact of provider restrictions on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
De Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M., Farrell, A., Furgalska, M. & Lavelanet, A., 18 Apr 2022, In: Reproductive Health. 19, 95, 10 p., 95.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
108 Downloads (Pure)
The impact of ‘grounds’ on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
de Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M. & Lavelanet, A., Dec 2022, In: BMC Public Health. 22, 1, 936.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
Integrating rights and evidence: a technical advance in abortion guideline development
De Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M. & Lavelanet, A., 8 Feb 2021, In: BMJ Global Health. 6, 2, 004141.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
184 Downloads (Pure)

1 Finished

Maternal and Perinatal Health and Preventing Unsafe Abortion Team
de Londras, F. (Principal Investigator)
World Health Organisation
1/08/19 → 30/06/20
Project: Research

Cite this

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abstract = "This review follows an established methodology for integrating human rights to address knowledge gaps related to the health and non-health outcomes of mandatory waiting periods (MWPs) for access to abortion. MWP is a requirement imposed by law, policy, or practice, to wait a specified amount of time between requesting and receiving abortion care. Recognizing that MWPs “demean[] women as competent decision-makers”, the World Health Organization recommends against MWPs. International human rights bodies have similarly encouraged states to repeal and not to introduce MWPs, which they recognize as operating as barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. This review of 34 studies published between 2010 and 2021, together with international human rights law, establishes the health and non-health harms of MWPs for people seeking abortion, including delayed abortion, opportunity costs, and disproportionate impact. Impacts on abortion providers include increased workloads and system costs.",

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The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Research output

Projects

Cite this