In brief
The research indicates that the restrictions enacted after the Roe v. Wade decision reversal have resulted in hundreds of additional infant deaths, particularly among already vulnerable populations.
Infant mortality rates have seen a significant uptick in states that have imposed strict abortion bans following the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, a new study reports. Researchers estimate that, in 14 states with strict policies, approximately 478 infant deaths may have occurred that otherwise would not have, had these regulations not been implemented. Alison Gemmill, one of the study's leaders, warned that these restrictive abortion laws could undo years of progress in reducing infant mortality rates across the country. The study, conducted by a team at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlights the troubling rise in mortality rates among infants facing congenital health issues as well as those born to historically marginalized groups. Specifically, Black infants, children of unmarried parents, and babies born to younger, less-educated mothers in southern states are experiencing a heightened incidence of mortality. As of early 2025, 17 states have effectively banned nearly all forms of abortion, with some allowing limited exceptions for instances of rape, incest, or threats to maternal health. States with total bans include Idaho, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. Meanwhile, states like Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina have restricted procedures after six weeks of pregnancy. Comparatively, the study found that states with such laws saw a climb in overall infant mortality rates to 6.26 per 1,000 live births, exceeding the expected figure of 5.93 per 1,000—a relative increase of 5.6%. Furthermore, the death rate among infants from congenital anomalies surged from an anticipated 1.24 to 1.37 per 1,000 live births, marking a relative increase of nearly 11%. Non-congenital causes of death similarly saw a rise, from an expected 4.69 to 4.89 per 1,000, representing a 4.23% increase.Notably, the research points to the troubling idea that many women are being denied abortions for non-viable pregnancies, exacerbating the situation. Delays in receiving care and the ban's disproportionate effect on disadvantaged groups, already at a higher risk of infant mortality, underscore the urgent issues arising from these new laws. Added to this, other research from Johns Hopkins has indicated that abortion restrictions correlate with a spike in fertility rates. Following Roe v. Wade's overturning, the birth rate per 1,000 reproductive-aged women in these states increased by 1.7%, equating to roughly 22,180 additional births. This effect was especially pronounced in states with already poor maternal and child health statistics.
