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Study Links Abortion Bans to Increased Health Risks

1/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A new study shows abortion bans in the United States increase health risks by forcing high-risk pregnancies to continue.
The national analysis of data from 2018–2021 reports that pregnancy-related deaths exceed abortion-related deaths, with 69.6 per 100,000 births.
The gap has widened since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.
The findings emphasize dangers from the fragmented legal landscape surrounding abortion.

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Story summary

A new study shows abortion bans in the United States increase health risks by forcing high-risk pregnancies to continue.
The national analysis of data from 2018–2021 reports that pregnancy-related deaths exceed abortion-related deaths, with 69.6 per 100,000 births.
The gap has widened since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.
The findings emphasize dangers from the fragmented legal landscape surrounding abortion.