WHO defines health as complete physical, mental and social well- being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, with reproductive health being specific to matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes.

The health impact of abortion depends on whether abortion is performed safely. Pregnancies terminated either by persons lacking the necessary skills and or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards can have devastating physiological, financial, and emotional costs to the woman and her family, as well as to her community at large. Complications of unsafe abortion include hemorrhage, sepsis, peritonitis, and trauma to the cervix, vagina, uterus, and abdominal organs. Moreover, one in four women who undergo an unsafe abortion is likely to develop temporary or lifelong disability requiring medical care. The risk of abortion related -death surges when the rates of unsafe abortion increases.

The cost to health systems for treating the complications of unsafe abortion is overwhelming, especially in developing countries.

The estimated an annual cost of treating minor complications from unsafe abortion at the primary health-care level is US$ 23 million.
The cost for treating post-abortion infertility is US$ 6 billion.
The out-of-pocket expenses of individuals and households in sub-Saharan Africa for the treatment of post-abortion complications is US$ 200 million each year.
The estimated annual expenditure by individuals and their societies for lost income from death or long-term disability due to chronic health consequences of unsafe abortion is US$ 930 million.