Increased Infant Mortality Linked to Abortion Access Restrictions Post-Dobbs Decision

In a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers from The Ohio State University, Maria Gallo and Parvati Singh, have found a **7% rise in U.S. infant mortality rates**, particularly among babies with chromosomal or genetic abnormalities. This rise was observed in the seven to fourteen months following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, which overturned Roe v. Wade and restricted abortion access in various states. Analyzing national birth outcomes from 2018 to 2023, the researchers noted **247 more total infant deaths per month and 204 additional deaths due to genetic conditions** than expected. They attribute this rise to restricted abortion access, which can impact broader public health. Though the study doesn't analyze state-by-state variations, the impact is presumed more severe in states with stricter abortion laws. The researchers emphasize the need to examine how restrictions might affect different populations, including maternal mortality rates, as well as mental health outcomes for those denied abortion care. They call for consideration of the human toll, including carrying fetuses with fatal genetic abnormalities to term. Future research may explore the long-term persistence of these trends and the policy response at the state level.