Impact of Texas Abortion Law on Infant Mortality
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics has established a possible link between rising infant mortality in Texas and the state's stringent abortion restrictions. The study, conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Michigan State University, found a significant increase in infant deaths following the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB8) in September 2021. This law, which was the strictest in the country at the time, banned almost all abortions beyond six weeks of pregnancy.
Key Findings and Statistics
The study revealed that between 2021 and 2022, infant mortality rates in Texas increased by 12.9%, compared to a 1.8% increase in the rest of the US. Additionally, the neonatal mortality rate in Texas rose by 5.8%, while it decreased in other parts of the country. These findings suggest that the increase in infant deaths was not solely due to a rise in births but rather a consequence of the restrictive abortion policies.
Broader Implications and Expert Opinions
The authors of the study argue that these restrictive abortion policies have unintended consequences, including trauma to families and increased medical costs. Medical experts, including those unaffiliated with the study, have echoed these concerns. Dr. Alison Gemmill, the lead author, emphasized the importance of understanding the broader implications of such policies, especially as more states adopt similar restrictions. Experts also highlighted that marginalized populations, including low-income families and people of color, are disproportionately affected by these bans.
- The study also found a notable increase in birth defects in Texas from 2021 to 2022, which did not occur in the rest of the US. This points to a causal effect of the policy, as stated by Alison Gemmill, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
- Medical experts have expressed concerns over the emotional and financial toll on families forced to carry pregnancies to term, especially when congenital anomalies are present. Nan Strauss, a Maternal Health Policy Analyst, emphasized that women and families suffer unbearably during the last part of pregnancy, knowing their baby is likely to die in the first weeks of life.
- The ripple effect on families includes trauma and mounting medical bills, as highlighted by Erika Werner, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts Medical Center. This situation is particularly significant as it may foreshadow similar outcomes in other states that have enacted or are considering similar abortion bans.
