A new UBC-led study highlights how Canada’s approach to abortion access sets it apart globally, particularly compared to countries like the U.K. where abortion rates have spiked since 2020. In contrast, rates in Canada have remained steady thanks to expanded access and science-based policies—especially since the introduction of mifepristone, a widely available abortion pill, in 2017. Dr. Laura Schummers, the study's lead author and Assistant Professor in UBC Pharm Sci, credits Canada’s evidence-driven reproductive health policies and lack of legal restrictions for this stability.
In a Q&A with UBC News, Dr. Schummers explains how Canada’s emphasis on accessibility and choice—without ideological interference—has led to better outcomes, even as other countries face setbacks due to disrupted contraception services and growing misinformation.
Read the full interview here and the study summary here: JAMA Network Open article.