Abortion Bans in the U.S. Lead to More Births and Higher Infant Deaths, Especially Among Vulnerable Groups
New research reveals that abortion bans in the United States are worsening existing health disparities, leading to increased births in high-risk populations and a significant rise in infant mortality.
Increased Births Following Abortion Bans
Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision revoked the federal right to abortion, 14 states have implemented complete or six-week abortion bans. A study published in the medical journal JAMA found that in these states, the fertility rate increased by 1.7%, resulting in one additional birth per 1,000 women of reproductive age.
However, the consequences extend beyond an increase in births.
Infant Mortality Spikes in Banned States
A parallel study from the same research team uncovered an alarming rise in infant mortality in states with abortion bans. The infant death rate surged by nearly 6%, with about 500 more deaths than expected among the 22,000 additional births.
For births directly linked to abortion bans, the infant mortality rate stood at 24 deaths per 1,000 births—four times higher than expected. Researchers analyzed birth and death rates from 2012 to 2023, comparing trends before the bans with states that did not impose restrictions.
“These additional births are occurring disproportionately among populations at greater risk of infant mortality and other poor pregnancy outcomes,” said Dr. Suzanne Bell, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-author of the studies.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Populations
The research highlights how abortion bans disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
- Black women and other minorities experienced the largest increases in fertility rates.
- Lower-income groups, including Medicaid beneficiaries and those with lower education levels, also saw a sharp rise in births.
- Infant mortality surged nearly 11% among Black babies—almost double the average increase—making them the most affected racial or ethnic group.
“Abortion bans are associated with excess births that shift the composition of births toward those at higher risk of infant death,” the researchers wrote.
Experts have long warned about the dangers of abortion bans, emphasizing their impact on the health and well-being of families.
“The argument in the Dobbs case was that removing abortion rights wouldn’t affect measurable outcomes,” said Caitlin Myers, a professor of economics at Middlebury College who studies abortion trends. “Well, here’s one: increased infant mortality.”
Rise in Deaths Due to Congenital Anomalies
The studies also found a significant increase in infant deaths from congenital anomalies in states with abortion bans. These conditions, which can range from heart defects to severe spinal issues, often result in infants surviving only a few months.
- Infant deaths due to congenital anomalies rose by 11%, equating to one additional death per 10,000 births.
- Infant deaths from other causes also increased by 4% in states with abortion bans.
This suggests that even allowing abortion exceptions for fetal anomalies would not fully mitigate the negative effects of abortion bans on infant health.
“Many pregnant people were unable to overcome barriers to abortion access and were forced to carry unwanted or unsafe pregnancies to term,” said Bell. “The largest impacts are among populations already facing structural disadvantages and poor maternal and child health outcomes.”
Broader Maternal Health Impacts
The crisis extends beyond infant mortality. A CDC report found that Black women were the only group to experience an increase in maternal mortality from 2022 to 2023. The maternal death rate for Black women in 2023 was 50 deaths per 100,000 live births—nearly three times higher than other racial groups.
“[Abortion restrictions] are compounding existing health disparities by limiting reproductive autonomy,” Bell noted. “And the rise in infant deaths is likely just the tip of the iceberg.”
Texas: A Major Contributor to the Crisis
Texas played a significant role in the findings, accounting for:
- 75% of additional births
- 80% of additional infant deaths
Experts suggest several factors contributed to this outsized impact, including:
- The state’s early adoption of Senate Bill 8, which restricted abortion before the Dobbs decision.
- Long travel distances required for Texans seeking out-of-state abortion care.
Calls for Policy Change
In a commentary accompanying the research, Dr. Alyssa Bilinski, an assistant professor of health policy at Brown University, stressed the need for increased support for affected families.
“Abortion restrictions that force people to continue unexpected and high-risk pregnancies make it even more critical to ensure strong support systems for children and families,” she wrote in JAMA.
“There should be no partisan divide over the idea that all children and families deserve the opportunity to thrive.”
Conclusion
The studies provide clear evidence that abortion bans are not only increasing births but also worsening health outcomes for mothers and infants—especially among vulnerable populations. Experts warn that without policy changes and expanded healthcare support, the crisis is likely to deepen.
