Texas abortion ban linked to increase in infant deaths, new study finds

A study in JAMA Pediatrics suggests a possible connection between increased infant mortality in Texas and the abortion restrictions implemented in 2021. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Michigan State University highlighted a potential link between Texas’ abortion policy and a rise in infant deaths, with a 12.9% increase between 2021 and 2022. Early fertility data from Texas also showed a notable rise in births among Hispanic women since the new abortion laws took effect. The Texas law bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.