# The Sociodemographic Benefits of Extending MS‐2Step to 70 Days in Australia

## TL;DR

This study examines how extending early medical abortion access to 70 days in Australia could benefit socioeconomically disadvantaged women.

## Contribution

The study provides evidence that extending abortion access could reduce disparities linked to socioeconomic status.

## Key findings

- Socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to later abortion presentations in Australia.
- Extending EMA access to 70 days could disproportionately benefit disadvantaged groups.
- A retrospective analysis of South Australian data supports policy change for improved equity.

## Abstract

In many areas of the world, outpatient early medical abortion (EMA) is provided through mifepristone and misoprostol up to 10 weeks or 70 days gestation; however in Australia access is restricted to 63 days. A retrospective cohort study using South Australian data from 2012 to 2020 compares women undergoing abortion at less than 9 weeks with women undergoing abortion at less than 10 weeks. Currently, socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with a higher rate of presenting for abortion after 9 weeks. Extending EMA access would be of particular benefit for groups with socioeconomic disadvantage.