The study sheds light on how restrictive abortion policies following the Roe v. Wade overturn are associated with rising infant deaths and greater disparities among disadvantaged populations.
**Rising Infant Mortality Linked to Abortion Bans in U.S. States, Study Shows**
**Rising Infant Mortality Linked to Abortion Bans in U.S. States, Study Shows**
A recent study indicates that states imposing abortion restrictions have seen increased infant mortality rates.
In an alarming revelation, a recent study from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights a rise in infant mortality rates in U.S. states that have enacted abortion bans after the Supreme Court's contentious overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Researchers estimate that approximately 478 infant deaths occurred across 14 states implementing heavy abortion restrictions, which they assert would likely not have taken place without these legal changes.
Alison Gemmill, one of the study's co-leaders, emphasized that such "restrictive abortion policies" might be undermining years of advancements made in minimizing infant mortality within the United States. Since the 2022 ruling, which curtailed a woman’s constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability (approximately 24 weeks), the impact has reportedly been most severe in states with stringent laws.
As of January 2025, 17 states have imposed near-total bans on abortion, with a few exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or maternal health risks. The states imposing total bans include Idaho, Alabama, and Texas, among others, while some have instituted bans after six weeks of pregnancy, including Georgia and Iowa, and twelve weeks in states like Nebraska and North Carolina.
The study reports a significant rise in infant deaths, with rates escalating to 6.26 per 1,000 live births in states with abortion bans, compared to an anticipated rate of 5.93, marking a relative increase of about 5.6%. Notably, there was also an increase in deaths from congenital abnormalities, rising from an expected 1.24 to 1.37 per 1,000 live births, a rise of approximately 10.87%.
Particularly concerning is the statistic for non-Hispanic Black infants, where mortality rates post-ban reached 11.81 per 1,000 live births, surpassing the expected 10.66, reflecting an increase of nearly 11%. Researchers assert that increases in infant mortality due to congenital malformations align with instances where women are denied abortions for non-viable pregnancies.
The detrimental effects appear to be disproportionately affecting disadvantaged groups, who were already at higher risk of infant mortality and may experience delays in accessing necessary medical care. Separate research additionally indicates a rising trend in fertility rates post-Roe v. Wade’s overturn, with an increase of 1.7% in births per 1,000 reproductive-aged females in affected states.
As the debate over abortion rights continues to polarize communities, this study raises critical questions about public health implications and the interconnectedness between reproductive rights and infant health outcomes across the United States.
Alison Gemmill, one of the study's co-leaders, emphasized that such "restrictive abortion policies" might be undermining years of advancements made in minimizing infant mortality within the United States. Since the 2022 ruling, which curtailed a woman’s constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability (approximately 24 weeks), the impact has reportedly been most severe in states with stringent laws.
As of January 2025, 17 states have imposed near-total bans on abortion, with a few exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or maternal health risks. The states imposing total bans include Idaho, Alabama, and Texas, among others, while some have instituted bans after six weeks of pregnancy, including Georgia and Iowa, and twelve weeks in states like Nebraska and North Carolina.
The study reports a significant rise in infant deaths, with rates escalating to 6.26 per 1,000 live births in states with abortion bans, compared to an anticipated rate of 5.93, marking a relative increase of about 5.6%. Notably, there was also an increase in deaths from congenital abnormalities, rising from an expected 1.24 to 1.37 per 1,000 live births, a rise of approximately 10.87%.
Particularly concerning is the statistic for non-Hispanic Black infants, where mortality rates post-ban reached 11.81 per 1,000 live births, surpassing the expected 10.66, reflecting an increase of nearly 11%. Researchers assert that increases in infant mortality due to congenital malformations align with instances where women are denied abortions for non-viable pregnancies.
The detrimental effects appear to be disproportionately affecting disadvantaged groups, who were already at higher risk of infant mortality and may experience delays in accessing necessary medical care. Separate research additionally indicates a rising trend in fertility rates post-Roe v. Wade’s overturn, with an increase of 1.7% in births per 1,000 reproductive-aged females in affected states.
As the debate over abortion rights continues to polarize communities, this study raises critical questions about public health implications and the interconnectedness between reproductive rights and infant health outcomes across the United States.
