The consequences of US abortion bans - more babies and higher infant mortality

Two US studies have investigated the consequences of abortion bans in the country. The first found US states that adopted abortion bans had higher than expected infant mortality after the bans took effect. This resulted in an estimated 478 additional infant deaths in the 14 states with bans during the months affected, the authors say. The change was biggest for deaths with congenital causes and among communities with higher than average infant mortality rates before the bans, including Black infants and those in southern states. The second study found fertility increased in states with bans, with around one extra baby born per 1,000 woman, or a total of 22,180 additional babies across the country. The biggest fertility increases were seen among racial minorities, unmarried women, women under 35, and women without a college degree, particularly in southern states and those with worse healthcare, the researchers say. An accompanying series of 'Viewpoint' and editorial articles discuss the need to support children and families, access to abortion drugs, legislative regulation of medicine, and the importance of ongoing research into the effects of the bans.