Stricter abortion laws may cause increased infant deaths − 2 maternal and child health researchers explain the data
The ConversationFEB 1
The Facts
A study published in the medical journal JAMA on Thursday found that infant mortality rates increased by 5.6%. following the implementation of six-week abortion bans in 14 US states, resulting in an estimated 478 excess infant deaths during the months affected.
The research also showed a 1.7% rise in fertility rates in states with abortion bans, equivalent to over 22K more births. In 2024, of the 73M abortions worldwide, around 1M were reportedly carried out in the US at 2.8K per day.
Black infants were reportedly disproportionately affected, with mortality rates increasing by nearly 11% in states with bans in place, almost twice the average increase across all groups.
The Spin
Republican narrative
The study focuses on raw data while ignoring a significant rise in total births. When properly examined through more appropriate statistical analysis, the data shows no concerning trends. Moreover, the research deceptively reframes the numbers to manufacture controversy.
Metaculus Prediction
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