The U.S. Maternal Health Divide: The Limited Maternal Health Services and Worse Outcomes of States Proposing New Abortion Restrictions

Abstract

Issue: In response to the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, a number of states have passed, or are planning to pass, partial or complete bans on abortion. A key question is whether these restrictions will result in reduced overall access to maternal and infant care, as well as worse health outcomes, in these states.Goals: Compare the current status of maternal and infant health in states that have or are likely to have bans or restrictions on abortion access with states that will preserve abortion access and consider how new abortion restrictions could affect maternal and infant health in the future.Methods: We drew on public data sources such as the CDC WONDER birth and death files, Area Health Resources Files, and the March of Dimes maternity care deserts report. We stratified states based on Guttmacher Institute ratings of the restrictiveness of state abortion policies.Key Findings and Conclusions: Compared to states where abortion is accessible, states that have banned, are planning to ban, or have otherwise restricted abortion have fewer maternity care providers; more maternity care "deserts"; higher rates of maternal mortality and infant death, especially among women of color; higher overall death rates for women of reproductive age; and greater racial inequities across their health care systems