A study by Johns Hopkins University reveals that Texas’ stringent abortion law, effective from September 1, 2021, has significantly increased the state’s infant mortality rate. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study compares data from 2021 and 2022, showing a 12.9% rise in infant deaths in Texas, contrasting with a 1.8% increase nationwide during the same period. The law, which lacks exceptions for congenital anomalies, particularly impacted pregnancies from March to December 2022, leading to an estimated 216 additional infant deaths. The findings suggest restrictive abortion policies may have unintended consequences on infant health, families, and medical costs amid evolving reproductive rights legislation.
