A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University has shed light on the impact of Texas' abortion ban on infant mortality rates and birth defects. The study compared infant death rates in Texas to 28 other states, some of which also have abortion restrictions. The findings revealed a concerning trend following the implementation of the abortion ban in September 2021.
Researchers discovered that there were 216 more infant deaths in Texas than expected between March and December the following year. The infant mortality rate in Texas increased by 8% to 5.75 per 1,000 births, compared to a 2% increase in the rest of the U.S. Notably, the rate of infant deaths due to birth defects saw a 23% increase in Texas, while the rest of the U.S. experienced a decrease of about 3%.
