Food insecurity linked to choice of telehealth abortion

Individuals seeking abortion face considerable challenges, including high costs, logistical difficulties such as travel and dependent care, and fear of stigma. In recent years, access to care has improved through telehealth abortion-related medical care via video consultations and phone calls, with medication delivered by mail, along with pre-abortion counseling. This increasingly used care option is patient-centered and is comparably safe and effective as in-person care. However, the factors that guide patient selection of telehealth abortion remain uncertain.

In a recent study, Dr. Courtney E. Williams, Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, United States, collaborated with her institutional colleagues to study whether reasons for choosing telehealth abortion differed in low-income settings. This study was made available online April 8, 2026, and was published in Volume 116, Issue 5 of the American Journal of Public Health on May 1, 2026.

“Given the dearth of empirical work in this field, our study addresses a notable shortcoming in the public health literature, refines the understanding of economic disparities in health care and expands knowledge on reproductive decision-making,” Williams said.

The researchers analyzed electronic medical records and survey responses from 1,726 participants in the California Home Abortion by Telehealth Study who received telehealth abortion care. Participants were stratified by food insecurity status to report the reasons for their choice of abortion care.

The study reveals that among individuals who experienced food insecurity, telehealth abortion was preferred because it is less costly, avoids secondary expenses such as logistics costs, and mitigates concerns related to judgment and discrimination at an in-person clinic.

The cost, confidentiality, comfort and privacy offered by telehealth abortion are appealing to a wider population regardless of food insecurity status. Emphasizing this broader impact, Williams says, “Consider that more than 50% of individuals in food-secure households in our study utilized telehealth because of its lower cost.”

The study also shows that individuals experiencing food insecurity are less likely to choose telehealth abortion because of faster access and convenience. One major reason for preferring telehealth abortion is the financial support it provides. Furthermore, when months of food insecurity and structural barriers such as access to health care are combined, individuals might feel less able to opt for telehealth abortion care services.

“People experiencing food insecurity likely garner the greatest economic benefit from telehealth abortion, but we suggest that telehealth’s affordability is attractive to a large swath of individuals,” Williams said.

In conclusion, when seeking an abortion, food insecurity tied to economic constraints and fear of stigmatization influences decisions relevant to abortion care preferences. Additionally, it is essential to address economic inequalities and ensure equitable access to health care services, thereby upholding fundamental reproductive rights.

Provided by
American Public Health Association

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