About
Turnaway
It’s time for an honest, empathetic, evidence-based conversation about the harms caused by restricting abortion access.
In 2020 Dr. Diana Greene Foster, UCSF Professor and MacArthur fellow, published her landmark book, The Turnaway Study, based on a ten year research project that definitively answers the question “What happens to a person who wants an abortion but cannot get one?”
Politicians, judges, and “pro-life” advocates justify their anti-abortion stance by claiming that abortion is a dangerous procedure that leads to personal trauma and a downward life spiral. Dr. Foster’s revelatory conclusions demonstrate that the exact opposite is true, and refute the false claim that abortion harms women.
After a thorough, data-driven analysis of 1,000 ethnically diverse women* from across the country, to monitor their mental and physical health, careers, romantic relationships, and pair-bonding with their current and future children, Turnaway found that women* who are refused an abortion suffer far more negative and damaging life consequences than those who are able to receive this basic universal form of healthcare.
This study focused on people who self identified as “women” at the time the research was conducted.
Get the book.
Abortion Facts
say having an abortion is the right decision for them.
of people feel relief after getting an abortion, even years later.
Being forced to give birth makes you
more likely to suffer life-threatening conditions.
Game-changing Utility
Our goal is for Turnaway’s definitive science to become the most respected, go-to resource for debunking abortion myths and reframing the abortion conversation.
Turnaway can educate the public about the harms caused by restricting abortion access - which disproportionately affects People of Color** - and the real-world benefits of having access to a safe affordable abortion.
Turnaway can create a wave of highly-relatable personal stories that humanize and destigmatize abortion–resulting in a more empathetic national sentiment.
In this critical election year, where reproductive freedom is on the ballot in almost every state, Turnaway can inspire the actions of youth advocates, influencers, thought leaders, and policymakers.
**Black and Native American people are 3x more likely to die from an unwanted pregnancy and childbirth than white people.
Lecture Series
Want to learn more?
Watch The Turnaway Study Lecture Series