Innovation in abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, France and Great Britain.

What is it about?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to healthcare systems, requiring them to quickly adapt to ensure fair access to services. One area that was profoundly affected was abortion care. This article looks at how Germany, France, and Great Britain managed abortion services during the pandemic, focusing on the use of “Telehealth for Early Medical Abortion” (TEMA). By reviewing data and research from 2018 to 2023, this article highlights differences in abortion rates, methods, and access between the three countries. France and Great Britain, where medical abortion was already widely available, introduced innovations such as teleconsultations and mailing abortion medication during the pandemic. These changes made abortion care more accessible and have largely continued, helping reduce long-standing health inequalities. In Germany, however, access to abortion services was limited even before the pandemic. Innovations, such as teleabortion, were driven by community organizations rather than the healthcare system, and these changes have not yet been fully integrated into mainstream services. Overall, the pandemic has led to important advancements in abortion care, but the future of these changes, particularly in Germany, remains uncertain.

Featured Image

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The use of “Telehealth for Early Medical Abortion” (TEMA) can be one important component in not only reducing abortion-related stigma but also providing access to abortion services.

Perspectives