
Elyse Gaitan
Research AssociateElyse Gaitan serves as a Research Associate at Charlotte Lozier Institute, where she supports various research efforts from abortion statistics to the pro-life safety net. Prior to her role as Research Associate, Elyse served as the Library Associate for Lozier Library for Life, Science, and Law. As Library Associate, she helped maintain the library database, a professional-level resource for scholars, lawyers, policy experts, and the public engaged in the pro-life issue.
Prior to joining CLI, Elyse worked part-time as a Library Assistant in New Jersey and completed a paid internship with Her PLAN, an initiative of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America focused on strengthening the pro-life safety net.
Elyse holds a B.A. in both History and Government from Fairleigh Dickinson University where she earned summa cum laude distinction. During her senior year, she completed an Honors thesis on Calvinist theology’s impact on race relations in the United States. She is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta and Pi Sigma Alpha honors societies.
Research Authored
Abortion Reporting: South Dakota (2024)
In 2024, zero abortions at brick-and-mortar facilities in the state were reported to the South Dakota Department of Health. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by South Dakota residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. The report also does not contain the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by South Dakota residents prescribed by licensed abortionists in other states with shield laws.
Abortion Reporting: Nebraska (2024)
Nebraska’s 2024 abortion report was published in June 2025 on the electronic dashboard of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. The data shows that abortions increased in the Cornhusker state. Not included in the state’s data are the total number of abortions obtained by Nebraska residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. It is also unlikely that the report contains the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by Nebraska residents prescribed by licensed abortion providers in other states (under shield laws), as telehealth abortions are prohibited under Nebraska law.
Abortion Reporting: Wyoming (2024)
Wyoming’s 2024 abortion report was published online by the Wyoming Department of Health in June 2025. The report shows that abortions increased from the previous year. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by Wyoming residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. It is also unlikely that the report contains the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by Wyoming residents prescribed by licensed abortion providers in other states.
Abortion Reporting: South Carolina (2024)
South Carolina’s 2024 abortion report was released on June 30, 2025, revealing that abortions reported in the state decreased significantly. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by South Carolina residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. It is also unlikely that the report contains the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by South Carolina residents prescribed by licensed abortion providers in other states (under shield laws), as telehealth abortions are prohibited under South Carolina law.
Abortion Reporting: North Carolina (2023)
North Carolina’s 2023 abortion statistics were published online by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in June 2025. The report shows that North Carolina abortions increased in 2023. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by North Carolina residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. It is also unlikely that the report contains the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by North Carolina residents prescribed by licensed abortion providers in other states.
Abortion Reporting: Arkansas (2024)
In 2024, zero abortions at brick-and-mortar facilities in the state were reported to the Arkansas Department of Health. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by Arkansas residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. The report also does not contain the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by Arkansas residents prescribed by licensed abortionists in other states with shield laws.
Abortion Reporting: Oklahoma (2024)
In 2024, one brick-and-mortar facility abortion in the state was reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). The data published by Oklahoma does not include the total number of abortions obtained by Oklahoma residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions performed by women outside of the healthcare system. The report also does not contain the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by Oklahoma residents prescribed by licensed abortionists in other states with shield laws.
Abortion Reporting: Vermont (2023)
Vermont’s 2023 abortion statistics were published online as part of the state’s full vital statistics report in April 2025. The report is available on the Vermont Department of Health website, and shows that Vermont abortions decreased in 2023. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by Vermont residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions on women outside of the healthcare system.
Inducing Demand for Abortion in the Absence of Medical Necessity: Planned Parenthood and Abortion Drugs
Given the discretionary preferential nature of the abortion decision, supply-induced demand is likely an important contributor to the increase in the volume and rate of induced abortions since 2018. This paper discusses Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the drug-induced abortion method, and the means by which they enhance demand.
James Studnicki, Sc.D., MPH, MBA
John W. Fisher, Ph.D., J.D., M.S., M.A.
Elyse Gaitan
Tessa Cox
Genevieve Plaster, M.A.
Abortion Reporting: Montana (2023)
Montana’s 2023 vital statistics report, which contains the state’s abortion data, was published by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in March 2025. The report shows that Montana abortions increased significantly in 2023. The data published by the state does not include the total number of abortions obtained by Montana residents out of state or the number of self-managed abortions on women outside of the healthcare system. It is also unlikely that the report contains the total number of mail-order abortion drugs obtained by Montana residents prescribed by licensed abortion providers in other states.

