On the issue of abortion, we all want the same thing: fewer abortions and lower infant mortality. We disagree on how to get there, whether it's a national ban, the decision of the states, or the individual's choice.
If we understand that we all want fewer abortions, we can then look at the data and see what works and what doesn't. Some of you might be yelling at your screen, "I don't want fewer abortions, I want no abortions!" Please understand that zero abortions equals fewer abortions, so we're all on the same page here.
In the 18 months after the Dobbs Supreme Court case that erased Roe v. Wade and sent the issue of abortion to the states, infant mortality has gone up 7% as compared to the previous 18 month period according to a paper published by the AMA. This doesn't feel right, but if we think about it logically, it makes sense. Most of the 7% of babies who died had congenital abnormalities or birth defects.
Confusingly, the number of abortions has risen 11% from 2020 (the last time there was comprehension statistics before the Dobbs decision) and 2023, according to the the Guttmacher Institute. It's at its highest since 2011. Dobbs may or may not be a reason for the increase, but importantly, the ruling, which has resulted in reduced access to abortion, hasn't had the desired effect on reducing the amount of abortions.
Sadly, the maternal mortality rate is 7% higher in states that have restricted abortion access, according to a Tulane University study. The more restrictive the policy, the chances the mother dies increases dramatically.
So the current policy of states determining abortion rights has caused a higher death rate for babies and mothers and resulted in more abortions. We certainly don't want the government to police our morals, so let's take a look at better ways to get what we all want: fewer abortions,
We need to address the root causes for why abortions take place. Increased access to contraception and better sex education are two practical and obvious ways. More fundamental is to address the pervasive issue of poverty. An increased standard of living and improved safety net will make abortions less necessary. Reducing poverty is a giant issue, but it's one that will have the consequence of reducing abortion, something our post-Dobbs reality has failed to do.
