The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Study shows an abortion ban may lead to a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths

  • Written by Amanda Jean Stevenson, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Colorado Boulder
Study shows an abortion ban may lead to a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths
White text on green background stating '21%: Estimated increase in pregnancy-related deaths by the second year of a nationwide abortion ban in the US.'
CC BY-NC-ND[1] A new Texas law[2] bans nearly all abortions, and other states have indicated that they likely will follow suit[3]. But the research is clear that people who want abortions but are unable to get them can suffer a slew of negative consequences for their health and well-being[4]. As a researcher who measures the effects of contraception and abortion policy on people’s lives[5], I usually have to wait years for the data to roll in. But sometimes anticipating a policy’s effects before they happen can suggest ways to avoid its worst consequences. In my forthcoming peer-reviewed paper, currently available as a preprint[6], I found that if the U.S. ends all abortions nationwide, pregnancy-related deaths will increase substantially because carrying a pregnancy to term can be deadlier than having an abortion. Pregnancy is riskier than abortion Banning abortion does not stop people from trying to end their pregnancies. But it won’t result in a return to the kinds of unsafe abortion that killed hundreds of women per year[7] before the Supreme Court’s ruling Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the U.S. Recent advances in medication abortion[8], which relies on prescription drugs rather than a procedure, have made safer abortions outside of clinics possible. They set the stage for organizations like Plan C[9] to help pregnant people safely manage their own abortions with pills[10] if they want or need to. Staying pregnant, on the other hand, carries a greater risk of death for the pregnant person than having an abortion. Abortion is incredibly safe for pregnant people in the U.S., with 0.44 deaths per 100,000 procedures from 2013 to 2017[11]. In contrast, 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births occurred in 2019[12]. In the U.S., pregnancy-related deaths occur for many reasons[13], including cardiovascular conditions, infections and hemorrhage caused or worsened by being pregnant or giving birth. One possible future with an abortion ban Policies like the abortion bans sweeping the U.S.[14] may affect pregnancy-related deaths in several ways. In my study[15], I estimated a portion of the additional deaths that would be caused by a nationwide ban on all abortions. To do this, I used published U.S. pregnancy and abortion death rates to project how many deaths would occur if all pregnancies that currently end in abortion were instead continued to miscarriage or term. My conservative estimate found that the annual number of pregnancy-related deaths would increase by 21% overall[16], or 140 additional deaths, by the second year after a ban. Among non-Hispanic Black woman, this percentage would increase 33%, causing 78 additional deaths and exacerbating the ongoing U.S. Black maternal health crisis[17]. The pregnancy-related death rate for non-Hispanic Black women is about three times higher[18] than for non-Hispanic white women and Hispanic or Latino women, likely because of structural racism[19], biases in health care provision[20] and disparities in health care access, among other reasons. In reality, these figures could be higher. They do not account for the fact that people having abortions[21] are on average less advantaged than people having births[22] and at a higher risk of pregnancy-related death. Nor do they include the risks of using less safe abortion methods. This possible future does not have to come true Projections always rely on assumptions about how the future will unfold – they are warnings, not predictions. My estimates describe how deaths would increase if everyone who currently has abortions instead carries their pregnancy to term. But the federal government, other states and nongovernmental organizations could make state abortion bans less deadly. The assumptions behind my projections show us how to prevent what I warn could happen. For example, effectively addressing the maternal health crisis[23] could make pregnancy safer and reduce pregnancy-related deaths. Helping people access safe medication abortion[24] and travel across state lines[25] to get to an abortion clinic would reduce pregnancy-related deaths. And not banning abortion in the first place would reduce pregnancy-related deaths the most.

References

  1. ^ CC BY-NC-ND (creativecommons.org)
  2. ^ new Texas law (www.texastribune.org)
  3. ^ follow suit (www.nbcnews.com)
  4. ^ negative consequences for their health and well-being (www.ansirh.org)
  5. ^ researcher who measures the effects of contraception and abortion policy on people’s lives (scholar.google.com)
  6. ^ currently available as a preprint (doi.org)
  7. ^ killed hundreds of women per year (www.washingtonpost.com)
  8. ^ medication abortion (www.kff.org)
  9. ^ Plan C (www.plancpills.org)
  10. ^ manage their own abortions with pills (www.plannedparenthood.org)
  11. ^ 0.44 deaths per 100,000 procedures from 2013 to 2017 (dx.doi.org)
  12. ^ 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births occurred in 2019 (www.cdc.gov)
  13. ^ many reasons (www.cdc.gov)
  14. ^ abortion bans sweeping the U.S. (news.trust.org)
  15. ^ my study (doi.org)
  16. ^ increase by 21% overall (osf.io)
  17. ^ Black maternal health crisis (www.hsph.harvard.edu)
  18. ^ three times higher (www.cdc.gov)
  19. ^ structural racism (doi.org)
  20. ^ biases in health care provision (doi.org)
  21. ^ people having abortions (doi.org)
  22. ^ less advantaged than people having births (doi.org)
  23. ^ maternal health crisis (doi.org)
  24. ^ access safe medication abortion (www.nbcnews.com)
  25. ^ travel across state lines (www.npr.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/study-shows-an-abortion-ban-may-lead-to-a-21-increase-in-pregnancy-related-deaths-167610

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...