Fostering discussion of abortion as a moral issue, politicians and medical staff in Russia are working to lower what is believed to be one of the world's highest abortion rates, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

"Even in community clinics, doctors are trying to dissuade patients from abortion," said gynecologist Alexander Medvedev. "Now teenagers come to see us with already two or three abortions, and it's horrible."

Russians are dying faster than they are being born, prompting the government to prod citizens to have more children, the Times reported, noting the government recently tightened the language of a waiver women must sign before ending a pregnancy.