Roe v. Wade Overturn Triggers Slight Increase in Abortions

This report discusses potential policy implications of the changes and responsibilities of the states to address predictable harm.

See Disclaimer: InfoEpi Lab does not address arguments for or against the legality, as it is not relevant to this analysis.

In the November 2023 report “The Effects of the Dobbs Decision on Fertility,” researchers Daniel Dench, Mayra Pineda-Torres, and Caitlin Myers looked at the impact of a major U.S. Supreme Court decision on fertility rates across the United States. The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, decided in June 2022, led to the most substantial change in abortion access in the country in over 50 years.

• See the KFF Abortion Policy Tracker for specific policies by state, as Medium does not allow the embed.

This report discusses potential policy implications of the changes and responsibilities of the states to address predictable harm.

Key Findings

• Nationwide Abortion Rates Unchanged or Increased: Despite state bans, the total number of abortions nationwide increased. Abortions increased slightly (by 0.2%). One potential explanation is the increased access to telemedicine abortions and increased access in states where abortion remains legal.
• Increase in Births in States with Abortion Bans: In the 13 states that…