Digital solutions and medication abortions surge as US tightens anti-abortion laws

People living in Florida now face barriers to getting medical care after the 6-week abortion ban went into effect in May 2024. Since then, apps like Aya Contigo, which provides chat support for abortion and contraception in all 50 states, have skyrocketed in use to help users access critical information that is often censored online. 

Abortions have not stopped because of the legal restrictions. In 2023, medication abortion accounted for 63% of all reported abortions in the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute. In the meantime, The National Abortion Federation (NAF) has reported a 575% increase in users they assisted through their hotline for abortion travel. 

Many people can’t afford to travel 

But the reality is that traveling is not affordable for many people. This impacts anyone who can get pregnant and takes a higher toll on Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, already affected by systemic racism and economic injustice. 

They meet obstacles including getting transportation, childcare, and work leave to have the procedure done and get medical rest if necessary. So people are resourcing medication to self-manage their abortion at home. 

Aya Contigo is a Canadian multi-award-winning virtual abortion doula that helps users navigate the medication abortion process published by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is available in English and Spanish, helping people who are limited in getting resources due to language gaps. That group also includes people whose migrant status also makes it hard for them to access healthcare. 

Anyone with a phone can access information about how to get a safe abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol or misoprostol only. This reduces the economic costs and helps those who are being denied abortions. 

Denying abortions causes long-lasting harm 

The UCSF Turnaway Study stated that 75% of people who were denied abortions lived under the poverty level in the next five years, were more likely not to be able to cover basic living expenses, and had an 81% increase in reports of bankruptcy and eviction. 

On the psychological side, people who wanted an abortion and were denied, “report higher stress and anxiety, lower self-esteem, and lower life satisfaction” than those who had the procedure done. 

This is why giving people the tools to take care of their own reproductive choices and exercise their body autonomy is a need. 

Femtech companies need funding 

The growing demand for health-focused solutions is driving the rise of femtech companies. This term defines software and services designed to meet women’s health needs and Aya Contigo is part of this segment. Its user-centered design aims to make abortion accessible even in the most challenging situations. 

Since its launch in 2022 in Venezuela, where abortion is deemed illegal, more than 8,000 have accessed the app. It was launched in the United States in November 2023, and since the ban was imposed in Florida, the number of users has grown by 500%. 

Despite their potential, femtech companies struggle to secure adequate funding. According to McKinsey, they receive only 3% of all digital health funding and the World Economic Forum reports that startups founded by women receive just 2% of the total venture capital invested in VC-backed startups. 

So femtech companies are turning to strategies such as crowdfunding to bypass the blocking of traditional investment. In this way, anyone can invest in the digital solutions they need, while helping to promote access for thousands to sexual and reproductive health care that is hampered by legal impediments. 

You can learn more about Aya Contigo and Vitala Global’s efforts to expand access to safe abortion and sexual health here.