Infant mortality rate rose 8% in wake of Texas abortion ban, study shows

In the wake of Texas’ abortion ban, the state’s infant death rate increased and more died of birth defects, a study published Monday shows.

The analysis out of Johns Hopkins University is the latest research to find higher infant mortality rates in states with abortion restrictions.

The researchers looked at how many infants died before their first birthday after Texas adopted an abortion ban in September 2021. They compared infant deaths in Texas to those in 28 states — some also with restrictions.