Advocacy Brief
From Research to Policy Advocacy:
Abortion Bans and Public Health
Abortion bans are fueling a public health crisis. This advocacy brief shows how state legislators use research, data, and storytelling to protect and advance reproductive rights. Read the full brief below to learn how you can take action.
About This Brief
This advocacy brief was developed from a research symposium hosted in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2025 by the Hopkins Population Center, State Innovation Exchange (SIX), Population Reference Bureau, and William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (WHGI). This brief was written by Natalie Apcar and Mauli Mehta of WHGI.
Read the brief on the page below, or download the PDF version here:
Abortion Bans Are Causing a Public Health Emergency
Three years after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, evidence shows that abortion bans have triggered severe consequences across the U.S.—not only reducing access to facility-based abortion care in states with bans but also increasing pregnancy-associated and infant deaths, worsening care quality, and putting doctors and patients in perilous legal situations.
The Role of Research in Legislative Strategy
State lawmakers working on reproductive health policy rely on scientific research to lobby for improved policies that address the complex web of challenges that vary dramatically by state. The following advocacy solutions were shared by three state lawmakers—Kayla Young from West Virginia, Candi Mundon King from Virginia, and Leslie Lopez from Maryland—who represent a spectrum of political realities that illustrate the fragmented nature of reproductive rights across America.
1. Amplify human stories that reveal real harm.
The humanization of reproductive, maternal, and family health consequences is more effective than abstract arguments.
2. Provide facts and figures tailored to local contexts.
Real-time, evidence-based impact findings can show lawmakers how policies harm constituents and counter misinformation.
3. Show the return on investment of policy change.
Data and modeling can show the state’s financial payoffs from changing a harmful policy.
The Impact in Numbers
Researchers shared the following metrics using data from states where abortion is either fully banned or banned after six weeks, compared to data from states without bans.*
*National vital statistics data analyzed by Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and hospital administrative claims data analyed by ProPublica (see resources list).
22,000
Additional births, three-quarters occurring in Texas.
59
Excess pregnancy-associated deaths (8% increase).
478
Excess infant deaths.
Widened Racial Disparities
Black infants face particularly severe impacts, with an 11% increase in mortality rates (compared to 5% for white infants).
What Reproductive Rights Legislators Want From Research
Lawmakers rely on trusted sources for information that they can use to push policy reform.
Here are the preferred formats:
- Quick, easy-to-reference bullet points
- One-page summaries
- Infographics
- Real-time fact-checking during floor debates via text messaging
Advice From Legislators
- Build and foster partnerships with media representatives who can publicize advocacy events or policy hearings. Journalists can also share human stories.
- Know when your delegates are in-session. Visit them in-person or provide testimony to give a face to the data.
- Stay headstrong amidst opposition. Even if you can’t change a lawmaker’s decision, it’s important to make your voice heard.
Examples of Success
Maryland
In Maryland, the recently enacted HB 930 activated a previously overlooked section of the Affordable Care Act that unlocked $25 million in funds already allocated for abortion care.
Coordination from researchers and advocates were critical in passing this bill, Delegate Lopez stated.
Virginia
In Virginia, lawmakers connected reproductive services with comprehensive women’s health to pass an initiative broadening accessing to care, known as the “Momnibus.”
West Virginia
In West Virginia, making the financial argument resonated across party lines, where lawmakers successfully expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year following birth.
Resources
Find presentation slides, research, legislation, and partner websites to help you learn more and take informed action.
Presentations
Research
- ARTICLE: US Abortion Bans and Fertility
- ARTICLE: US Abortion Bans and Infant Mortality
- ARTICLE: Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared
- ARTICLE: Why Hospital Policies Matter in States That Ban Abortion
- ARTICLE: ‘Momnibus’ Package Aims to Close Maternal Health Gaps Across Virginia
- ARTICLE: Ending Reproductive Health Restrictions: Good for Women, Good for Business
- REPORT: Care Post-Roe: How Post-Roe Laws Are Obstructing Clinical Care
- REPORT: The Economic and Workforce Impact of Restrictive Abortion Laws
- STUDY: Guttmacher Monthly Abortion Provision Study
- BRIEF: Post-Roe, Employees Want – and Expect – Businesses to Help with Reproductive Health Access
- FACT SHEET: State-Level Abortion Restrictions Cost the US Economy $133 Billion
Legislation
- Delegate Youngs’ Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Protect Reproductive Freedom in West Virginia
- Dental Care Services for Pregnant Women (HB2539)
- Certified Nurse Midwives Licensure Expansion (SB1352)
- Postpartum Doula Care (SB1418)
- Maryland’s New Public Health Abortion Grant Program (bill language (HB0930))
Websites
State Innovation Exchange: https://sixrepro.org & https://sixrepro.org/resources
Society of Family Planning: https://societyfp.org & https://societyfp.org/research/science-says
Population Association of America: https://www.populationassociation.org/paa2025/related-events/advocacy-day
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/meetings/acog-congressional-leadership-conference
State Policy Action Lab: www.statepolicyactionlab.org