Guttmacher’s Research Hides Truth about Planned Parenthood

FullSizeRenderAs published in the Washington Times, the Guttmacher Institute has reintroduced findings from a 2011 report, which claims most abortion facilities are not located in minority neighborhoods. This report is misleading when it comes to the practices of Planned Parenthood. Protecting Black Life (PBL) conducted a detailed research study specifically focusing on the locations of Planned Parenthood’s 165 surgical abortion facilities and found that 79% are within a 2-mile radius (walking distance) of Black and/or Hispanic neighborhoods.

No other study takes such an up-close look of the area immediately surrounding the Planned Parenthood location. PBL’s research is based on:

  • In-depth location data — Each location was evaluated based on a 2-mile radius from the abortion facility. A map of the Census tracts within that radius depicts the percentages of Blacks and Hispanics.
  • Thorough demographic analysis — Demographic profiles were evaluated based on the characteristics relative to the surrounding county and also compared to national population statistics. Other studies, like Guttmacher, do not assess each location individually, but rather use broad, blanketed percentages.
  • Reliable resources — Data was compiled using 2010 Census results. Compared to other methods, Census tracts more closely resemble neighborhoods because they are homogeneous.

Powerful visual — An interactive, Google-enabled map gives you the national perspective and allows you to zoom in and view the area surrounding each abortion facility.

“I am gravely concerned about Planned Parenthood’s targeting of Black and Hispanic communities,” said Protecting Black Life&rsqup;s Director of Urban Outreach, Arnold Culbreath. “The disparity of abortion and race is grossly apparent. In 2008, Black women had abortions at a rate 3.4 times higher than White women. There’s no doubt that Planned Parenthood’s targeting of minorities is a major contributing factor.”

Planned Parenthood has not refuted nor commented on the study’s results.