A demographer who studies the effects of unwanted pregnancy argues that access to abortion is a personal finance issue.

• The Turnaway Study, a landmark research study on the socioeconomic outcomes for Americans who are "turned away" from abortion, was led by Diana Greene Foster.
• A study by Foster, a demographer and professor at the University of California San Francisco, revealed that women who were unable to obtain an abortion had a higher incidence of poverty, a greater likelihood of bankruptcies, and a higher rate of evictions.
• In 10 states, abortion is a topic on the ballot. A poll indicates that for young women, it is the most crucial issue to consider on Election Day.

The November election has made abortion a crucial matter for numerous voters, particularly young women.

Unwanted pregnancies have a significant impact on individuals' lives, and access to abortion goes beyond politics and healthcare, according to Diana Greene Foster, a demographer who conducts research on this topic.

A study led by Foster, a professor at the University of California San Francisco, examined the socioeconomic outcomes for Americans who were "turned away" from abortion. The study followed 1,000 women over a five-year period ending January 2016. All the women in the study had previously sought abortions, but not all received one.

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In November, 10 states will decide on ballot measures regarding abortion access.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2022, which struck down Roe v. Wade, led to the implementation of ballot measures that restrict access to abortion.

According to the KFF Survey of Women Voters, women under age 30 consider abortion to be the most important issue to their vote on Election Day. This ranks it as the third-most-important issue among women voters of all ages, behind inflation and threats to democracy, according to the KFF poll.

According to a Pew Research Center poll of 9,720 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 26 to Sept. 2, registered Republicans consider abortion to be one of the least important issues.

CNBC interviewed Foster about the economic implications of abortion access and the financial consequences of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Low earners most likely to seek an abortion

What is the typical population of women who seek abortions in the U.S.?

The Turnaway Study has a similar demographic to national statistics on who receives abortions.

Although many people believe teenagers are the primary recipients, only a small minority are in their teenage years, while more than half are in their 20s and already parenting a child.

Over time, it has become increasingly disproportionate among people with the least economic resources.

GI: Why is that?

Not all individuals, regardless of wealth, have equal access to contraceptives, even with the Obamacare-mandated coverage.

Despite the availability of laws that allow for a year's supply of contraceptives, many medical providers still only offer monthly or three-month refills. Studies have shown that requiring individuals to go back for resupply more frequently increases the likelihood of unintended pregnancies. While laws have changed, practice has not yet caught up, and access to contraceptives remains imperfect.

Even though contraceptives are often used to prevent pregnancies, some people still have abortions due to health issues with themselves or the fetus, or changes in their life circumstances.

Greater likelihood of poverty and evictions

GI: What are the economic findings of your research?

People who are denied an abortion are more likely to report lower household income and inadequate financial resources to meet basic living needs.

Abortion is often chosen by mothers who want to ensure their existing children are not left in poverty or in households with limited resources.

If they're denied an abortion, they're more likely to have evictions and a larger amount of debt.

GI: Can we quantify those impacts?

For instance, six months after being denied an abortion, 61% of those who were denied were living below the poverty line, compared to 45% of those who received an abortion. The likelihood of being below the poverty line remained higher even four years later.

According to credit reports, women who were denied abortions had a 78% increase in the amount of debt 30 days or more past due, totaling $1,749.70, compared to their pre-pregnancy average. Additionally, the number of public records, including bankruptcies, evictions, and court judgments, significantly increased for those denied abortions by 81%.

GI: Why does this happen?

Rewritten: The decision to become a parent involves significant social support, housing security, and access to healthcare, which are not readily available to low-income individuals in our country.

Why costs are both rising and falling for women

What are the potential economic consequences of your study, given that Roe v. Wade is no longer the law?

The Turnaway Study denied abortions to people who were too far along in pregnancy, but now, in 13 states, you can be denied an abortion at any point in pregnancy. This has the potential to affect a much larger group of people.

While there have been changes in resources and information about ordering medication abortion pills online, it is not accurate to say that everyone who wants an abortion is now carrying a pregnancy to term.

The Turnaway Study demonstrates why people are highly motivated to obtain care despite state efforts to circumvent laws.

Some women in those states may face financial consequences.

The economic costs of the end of Roe and travel expenses have increased by $200 for out-of-state travelers, and people experienced delays of more than a week.

After Roe, people were more likely to travel to an abortion clinic, with over half staying overnight and traveling an average of 10 hours. This meant taking time off work and dramatically increased the cost for those who traveled to get an abortion.

Those who ordered pills online are not included in the study, but they may have benefited from lower costs as it's possible to purchase pills online for less than $30.

To obtain a service, you must have an address, internet, and a level of knowledge to do so. Additionally, there may be a need for follow-up medical care, so you must be able to access it.