In the initial study, researchers at Johns Hopkins observed a 1.7% increase in birth rates in states where abortion bans were implemented. The research highlighted that these bans disproportionately impacted racial minorities, younger individuals, and those with lower income or education levels, particularly in the Southern regions. Suzanne Bell, PhD, MPH, the lead author of the paper and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explained to ABC News that individuals facing significant structural disadvantages, especially in states with poor maternal and child health outcomes, bore the brunt of these abortion bans, resulting in a rise in live births. She further noted that many of these occurrences transpired in states lacking robust social services, exacerbating existing disparities and straining already limited resources.
Simultaneously, another study conducted by Johns Hopkins revealed a surge in infant deaths in states with abortion bans. After analyzing birth and death records between 2012 and 2023, Bell’s team identified 478 more infant deaths than anticipated in 14 states with such bans. The most significant increases were observed among Black infants (with an approximately 11% higher death rate), infants in Southern states, and infants born with severe medical conditions. Bell emphasized that Texas played a substantial role in these findings, contributing to 73% of the additional births and 80% of the excess infant deaths attributed to the bans.
While states without bans were not immune to the consequences, Colorado witnessed a rise in abortions despite maintaining unrestricted access to the procedure. Researchers from Colorado State University observed a significant increase in abortions sought by out-of-state residents in Colorado, soaring from 13% in 2020 to 30% in 2023. Among Colorado residents, there was a surge in abortions six months post the Texas ban, with an 11% increase in first-trimester abortions and an 83% increase in second-trimester abortions compared to pre-ban levels. The heightened demand led to delays, potentially escalating costs, emotional strain, and procedural complexity, as noted by the authors. However, the situation regarding second-trimester abortions has since stabilized, likely due to enhanced telehealth services, self-managed abortion options, and improved access in neighboring states.
Presently, abortion is prohibited in 12 states according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, with 29 states imposing some form of gestational age-based restrictions on the procedure. Nine states have no restrictions on abortion. Bell underscored the negative implications of abortion access limitations on the physical, mental, and economic well-being of individuals seeking abortion services, their children, and families, emphasizing the hindrance to achieving health equity. She concluded that these bans exacerbate existing disparities in population health, deepening the health inequities that persist across various communities.
Jessica Yang, DO, a family medicine resident at Main Line Health Bryn Mawr Hospital and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit, contributed to this report.
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