The United States has seen a surge in infant mortality following the Supreme Court 's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned the national right to abortion that had been established by ‘ Roe v. Wade ’ in 1973, according to a new study published in ‘JAMA Pediatrics’.
Researchers at The Ohio State University found that in the 18 months following the ruling, hundreds more infants died than expected, primarily due to congenital anomalies.
This rise in infant mortality was particularly evident in three months—October 2022, March 2023, and April 2023—where rates were approximately 7 per cent higher than usual.
The study attributes around 80 per cent of these additional deaths to birth defects such as heart issues, neural tube defects, and chromosomal abnormalities. These are conditions where, prior to the Dobbs decision, ‘Roe v. Wade’ had granted federal protection for abortion access , allowing individuals to terminate pregnancies in cases of severe fetal anomalies.
As per the news agency AFP, Maria Gallo, professor of epidemiology and co-author of the study, noted that “infant mortality in the United States was higher than what we would have expected” after the Dobbs ruling.
Her co-author, Dr Parvati Singh, emphasised that this reflects the broader consequences of restricted abortion access across the country, which has affected care for both mothers and babies. The ripple effects of these abortion bans, according to the study, extend beyond state borders.
Previous research in Texas, which implemented a six-week abortion ban in 2021, had shown a similar increase in infant mortality. The Ohio State study reinforces this trend on a national level, suggesting that restrictions enacted in the wake of the Dobbs decision have had widespread consequences for birth outcomes.
Experts also point to the impact these abortion bans have on broader healthcare access , with women in states with restricted abortion services facing increased risks for poor pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Abortion bans may deter individuals from seeking prenatal care, compounding the challenges faced by those already grappling with poverty, food insecurity, and other stressors.
As abortion remains a contentious issue in the lead-up to the 2024 elections , with 21 states imposing significant restrictions and 10 states set to vote on the matter, this study highlights the profound public health implications of limited abortion access.
The researchers hope to further investigate whether these mortality increases are concentrated in specific states with strict abortion laws.
Researchers at The Ohio State University found that in the 18 months following the ruling, hundreds more infants died than expected, primarily due to congenital anomalies.
This rise in infant mortality was particularly evident in three months—October 2022, March 2023, and April 2023—where rates were approximately 7 per cent higher than usual.
The study attributes around 80 per cent of these additional deaths to birth defects such as heart issues, neural tube defects, and chromosomal abnormalities. These are conditions where, prior to the Dobbs decision, ‘Roe v. Wade’ had granted federal protection for abortion access , allowing individuals to terminate pregnancies in cases of severe fetal anomalies.
As per the news agency AFP, Maria Gallo, professor of epidemiology and co-author of the study, noted that “infant mortality in the United States was higher than what we would have expected” after the Dobbs ruling.
Her co-author, Dr Parvati Singh, emphasised that this reflects the broader consequences of restricted abortion access across the country, which has affected care for both mothers and babies. The ripple effects of these abortion bans, according to the study, extend beyond state borders.
Previous research in Texas, which implemented a six-week abortion ban in 2021, had shown a similar increase in infant mortality. The Ohio State study reinforces this trend on a national level, suggesting that restrictions enacted in the wake of the Dobbs decision have had widespread consequences for birth outcomes.
Experts also point to the impact these abortion bans have on broader healthcare access , with women in states with restricted abortion services facing increased risks for poor pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Abortion bans may deter individuals from seeking prenatal care, compounding the challenges faced by those already grappling with poverty, food insecurity, and other stressors.
As abortion remains a contentious issue in the lead-up to the 2024 elections , with 21 states imposing significant restrictions and 10 states set to vote on the matter, this study highlights the profound public health implications of limited abortion access.
The researchers hope to further investigate whether these mortality increases are concentrated in specific states with strict abortion laws.
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You can also easily make this dish in the morning breakfast.
