A recent Gallup poll reveals fewer Americans identify themselves as "pro-choice" in the abortion debate.

Currently, about 41 percent of the nation supports abortion -- down from 47 percent last July and just one percentage point below the previous record low in May 2009.

In contrast, 51 of Americans called themselves "pro-life."

The results show an obvious shift since 2001, when researchers found pro-choicers represented the majority.

The abortion issue has been in the forefront of this year's election season. One example is the conflict between the Roman Catholic Church and the Obama administration over a health care mandate that would require free contraception coverage.

It's unclear whether the birth control debate or other hot button issues like Planned Parenthood funding had an impact on Gallup's findings.

Results were based on telephone interviews of a random 1,024 adults conducted May 3-6 of this year.

Gallup plans to explore the topic further in a future poll by examining gender, age and other demographic variables.