The impact of third-party authorization requirements on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

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

doi:10.1186/s12889-023-16307-1

The impact of third-party authorization requirements on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence

Fiona de Londras^*, Amanda Cleeve, Maria I. Rodriguez, Alana Farrell, Magdalena Furgalska, Antonella F. Lavelanet

^*Corresponding author for this work

Birmingham Law School

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

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Abstract

Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers.

Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist.

Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights.

Original language	English
Article number	2065
Number of pages	16
Journal	BMC Public Health
Volume	23
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16307-1
Publication status	Published - 23 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

This work was supported by the UNDP-UNFPA‐UNICEF‐WHO‐World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the WHO (AL) (https://www.who.int/teams/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-research-(srh)/human-reproduction-programme). FdL also acknowledges the support of the Leverhulme Trust through the Philip Leverhulme Prize (FdL) https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk.

Keywords

Abortion
Reproductive rights
Abortion law
Third party authorization requirements

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Law

UN SDGs

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

Access to Document

10.1186/s12889-023-16307-1Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC BY)

deLondrasF2023Impact.pdfFinal published version, 1.36 MBLicence: 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., Farrell, A., Furgalska , M. & Lavelanet, A., 3 Jan 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: BMC Global and Public Health.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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
160 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
83 Downloads (Pure)
The impact of mandatory waiting periods on abortion-related outcomes: a synthesis of legal and health evidence
de Londras, F., Cleeve, A., Rodriguez, M., Farrell, A., Furgalska , M. & Lavelanet, A., Dec 2022, In: BMC Public Health. 22, 1, 13 p., 1232 .
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
67 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
106 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., 10 May 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, e004141.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
176 Downloads (Pure)

2 Finished

WHO Development Phase of Maternal and Perinatal Health and Preventing Unsafe Abortion Team
de Londras, F. (Principal Investigator)
World Health Organisation
22/08/22 → 31/05/23
Project: Research
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 = "Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers.Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist. Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights. ",

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N2 - Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers.Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist. Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights.

AB - Objectives: This review synthesizes legal and health evidence to demonstrate the negative health and human rights impacts of third-party authorization requirements (TPAs) on abortion seekers.Results: The synthesized evidence substantiates the pre-existing position in international human rights law that any requirements that abortion be authorized by third parties like parents, spouses, committees, and courts create barriers to abortion, should not be introduced at all, or should be repealed where they exist. Conclusions: The review establishes that rights-based regulation of abortion should not impose TPAs in any circumstances. Instead, the provision and management of abortion should be treated in a manner cognizant with the general principles of informed consent in international human rights law, presuming capacity in all adults regardless of marital status and treatment sought, and recognizing the evolving capacity of young people in line with their internationally-protected rights.

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The impact of third-party authorization requirements 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