Texas Abortion Ban Linked to Spike in Infant Deaths
A shocking new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals a sharp rise in infant mortality in Texas following the state’s 2021 abortion ban. Infant deaths, especially among babies with congenital anomalies, surged dramatically in the year after Senate Bill 8 (S.B. 8) took effect.
Texas’ Toughest Abortion Law Hits Hard
Enacted on September 1, 2021, S.B. 8 outlawed abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected—around five to six weeks of pregnancy. This made it the strictest abortion law in the US, with no exceptions even for severe fetal abnormalities.
Stark Findings From the Study
Researchers examined monthly infant death certificates from Texas and 28 other states spanning 2018–2022. The results are grim:
- Infant Deaths Soar: Texas saw infant deaths jump from 1,985 in 2021 to 2,240 in 2022—a 12.9% increase. Meanwhile, the rest of the US experienced only a 1.8% rise over the same period.
- Impact of S.B. 8: The study estimates 123 additional infant deaths in Texas directly linked to the abortion ban.
- Neonatal Deaths Rise: Deaths within the first 28 days of life also jumped, with 145 excess deaths noted after the law came into force. These patterns weren’t seen in other states.
- Broader Consequences: This is one of the first studies to expose how Texas’ abortion restrictions have adversely affected infant health and devastated families.
Why This Matters
Dr Alison Gemmill, the study’s lead author, warns these findings are critical following the US Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. With abortion laws tightening across many states, understanding their hidden fallout on infant mortality and family wellbeing is vital.
The study highlights the urgent need to rethink harsh abortion laws that may cause more harm than good—and puts Texas’ controversial policy under the microscope.
