Three years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, new research shows maternal and infant deaths have increased in states with abortion bans, though direct scientific causality is still debated.
Women in ban states are nearly twice as likely to die during or after pregnancy, while infant mortality has also risen, especially for marginalized groups and those in states with the earliest and most severe bans[1][2][3].
These findings suggest a strong association, but the absolute proof of causation remains under active scientific review[4][3].
Overall, the post-Roe surge in preventable deaths—both among mothers and infants—is highly associated with abortion bans, with mounting evidence that these policies are driving a measurable health crisis, especially among the most vulnerable women and children[1][2][4][3].