The latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show women continue to have fewer abortions, but the abortion rate for women of child-bearing age is holding steady.

• There were 1,184,758 legal abortions in 1997 -- a level not seen since 1978, when there were 1,157,776.

• The number of legal abortions peaked in 1990 at 1,429,557 and has steadily declined since.

• However, the incidence of abortion nationally remained unchanged -- with 20 abortions per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44.

• The 1997 abortion rate fell to 305 abortions per 1,000 live births from 314 per 1,000 in 1996.

A CDC spokesperson attributed the decline in abortion numbers to fewer unintended pregnancies and increased use of contraceptives. There also has been an increase in older, less fertile women.

Source: Cheryl Wetzstein, "Number of Abortions Down Again, But Rate Holds Steady," Washington Times, January 7, 2000.