In the 18 months following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, hundreds more infants died than expected, according to new research. The study, led by researchers from Ohio State University and published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, has drawn attention to the rise in infant mortality in the wake of near-total abortion bans implemented by several states.
Key Findings: A Surge in Infant Deaths
The researchers compared data on infant deaths from the period before Roe v. Wade was overturned with the months following the landmark decision. They found a concerning 7% increase in infant mortality during October 2022, March 2023, and April 2023. On average, these months saw about 247 more infant deaths per month than expected.
The research also showed that in six out of the 18 months studied, there was a significant rise in deaths among infants with congenital anomalies. During these months, mortality rates for these infants rose by 10%, with approximately 210 more deaths each month than expected. Congenital anomalies are often life-threatening conditions that can be detected before birth. In states where abortion is legal, families may choose to terminate pregnancies when these anomalies are discovered, especially if the condition is incompatible with life. However, for many families living under strict abortion bans, that option is no longer available.
One critical observation was that during the entire study period, infant mortality rates never dropped below expected levels, suggesting a consistent issue affecting infant health.
Comparing Previous Research: Texas as a Case Study
This study is the latest to explore the impact of abortion restrictions on infant health. Earlier, in June 2024, another study pointed to a similar trend in Texas, which had passed an abortion ban after approximately six weeks of pregnancy. According to that research, the number of infants dying within their first year of life in Texas rose by 13% after the ban took effect.
This Texas study also found that infant deaths due to congenital anomalies increased significantly. The researchers noted that abortion bans likely prevented families from making choices to terminate pregnancies where the fetus had life-threatening conditions that could be detected in utero. Without the option to terminate these pregnancies, families faced the heartbreaking reality of carrying fetuses to term, even when survival was unlikely.
The rise in infant deaths due to congenital anomalies, both in Texas and in the broader study, underscores how abortion restrictions have put the health of babies and pregnant individuals at risk.
Impact on Women’s Health: The Tragic Consequences
Abortion bans haven’t only affected infant health; they have also jeopardized the health and lives of pregnant women across the U.S. There have been multiple reports of women being denied medically necessary abortions due to restrictive laws. This has led to serious complications and, in some cases, death.
Two particularly tragic cases involved Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, who died in Georgia after being unable to access legal abortions because of the state’s six-week abortion ban. Their stories, reported by ProPublica, highlight the severe consequences that restrictive abortion laws can have on pregnant women, especially when they are unable to receive life-saving care.
Why Abortion Bans Matter: Understanding the Consequences
Abortion bans are not just about limiting the choice to terminate a pregnancy. They have far-reaching consequences that directly affect public health, including increased infant mortality. For families with pregnancies involving congenital anomalies, the inability to terminate the pregnancy can mean carrying a fetus to term, even when survival is impossible.
In many cases, families facing such difficult choices would have previously opted for termination to avoid the pain and trauma of bringing a baby into the world who has no chance of survival. But with more than a dozen states now enforcing near-total abortion bans, these options are no longer available to many families.
Pregnant women themselves are also at risk. In some instances, restrictive abortion laws have delayed or denied women the care they need to protect their health. This puts them in life-threatening situations, as shown by the tragic deaths of Thurman and Miller.
Looking at the Data: What the Study Didn’t Reveal
The study released on Monday provides critical insight into the rise in infant deaths after the Roe v. Wade decision, but it did not break down infant mortality rates by individual state. This means that while we know there has been a significant overall increase in infant deaths, it’s unclear whether certain states with stricter abortion laws are seeing higher mortality rates than others.
That said, based on the findings of the earlier study in Texas, it’s reasonable to assume that states with more restrictive abortion laws may be seeing worse outcomes in terms of infant mortality.
The Bigger Picture: Why Infant Mortality Matters
Infant mortality is a key indicator of a country’s overall health and well-being. When infant mortality rates rise, it suggests that broader issues are affecting public health. In this case, the rise in infant deaths seems to be directly tied to the inability of families to terminate pregnancies with life-threatening fetal anomalies.
Additionally, increased infant mortality often signals problems in access to healthcare, maternal care, and social support for families. In the U.S., access to abortion has historically been a crucial part of reproductive healthcare, particularly for families facing complicated pregnancies. The overturn of Roe v. Wade has removed this option for many people, leading to these alarming outcomes.
What’s Next: Addressing the Problem
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision, the need for comprehensive maternal and infant healthcare has become even more urgent. Abortion bans are not only limiting choices for families but also contributing to unnecessary deaths.
Experts like Alison Gemmill, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and lead author of the June 2024 Texas study, have emphasized the importance of understanding these consequences. “Any infant death is tragic,” Gemmill said, noting the additional trauma faced by pregnant individuals who know they are carrying a fetus that won’t survive but have no choice but to continue the pregnancy.
With more research like the Ohio State study, public health officials, lawmakers, and advocates will need to work together to find solutions that protect the lives of both infants and pregnant individuals. Addressing the rise in infant deaths may require a reevaluation of current abortion laws and a renewed focus on providing comprehensive healthcare for families facing difficult pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusion: The Need for Change
The rise in infant mortality following the overturn of Roe v. Wade is a sobering reminder of the complex and far-reaching consequences of abortion restrictions. With more than 247 additional infant deaths occurring in key months and a 10% increase in deaths among infants with congenital anomalies, the data paints a clear picture: the impact of abortion bans extends beyond the issue of choice—it directly affects the health and well-being of infants and pregnant individuals alike.
Moving forward, it will be essential to continue monitoring the effects of these laws and take steps to ensure that families have access to the care they need. Whether that means revisiting abortion restrictions or improving maternal and infant healthcare services, one thing is clear: urgent action is needed to prevent further unnecessary deaths.
