Young People Turn to Permanent Sterilization as Abortion Restrictions Rise, Study Finds

Young adults in the U.S. are increasingly getting permanent sterilization procedures following the overturning of Roe V. Wade in 2022, according to new research.

A paper published in JAMA Health Forum showed that people aged 18-30 are choosing tubal ligation and vasectomies because they are "much more likely to have an abortion and... to experience sterilization regret relative to their older counterparts."

While the study doesn't directly tie the increase with the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, it does show a drastic increase since 2022 compared to a prior period. The study didn't break down statistics by state. Figures returned to baseline after about six months.

Contraception and abortion in particular have taken centerstage in the national conversation over the past year, but even more so recently after Arizona's Supreme Court upheld a 1864 law that banned practically all abortions in the state, including in cases of rape and incest.The only exception to the ban is when the mother's life is in danger.

The ruling caused widespread condemnation, with even some Republicans (presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump included) saying it goes too far.

Democrats, in turn, have been galvanized and pinned the blame on their political opponents, especially considering that abortion rights have not yet lost a vote when on the ballot.

There are a total of eleven states that are likely to take abortion rights measures on the ballot in November: Florida, Maryland and New York are confirmed, while Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, Missouri and Arkansas are still moving towards this.

Over two thirds of Latinos (68%) oppose abortion bans, according to a poll by Axios-Ipsos from this week. More prefer Joe Biden's stance on the issue (30%) compared to Donald Trump (21%).