The impact of Dobbs on severe pregnancy loss morbidity in Texas
Abortion
Awarded 2024
Health and economic outcomes, post-Dobbs
Amanda Nagle, MPH
University of Texas at Austin
$75,000

This 12-month quantitative study of Texas inpatient and outpatient hospital records will evaluate how the Dobbs decision, Senate Bill 8 (pre-Dobbs ban on abortion after detection of cardiac activity) and Texas’ subsequent total abortion ban impacted the health of people experiencing pregnancy loss in Texas. Pregnancy loss occurs in 1 in 5 pregnancies and adequate medical care is essential to the health of people experiencing loss. However, abortion bans have impacted medical providers’ ability to provide appropriate and timely care. Using millions of records from hospitals, freestanding emergency medical centers, and ambulatory care centers in Texas from 2018-2024, including information on approximately 60,000 visits for pregnancy loss per year, we will conduct interrupted time series analysis on the frequency and rate of severe morbidity related to pregnancy loss. We will measure instances of sepsis, hemorrhage, shock, blood transfusion, cardiac arrest, hysterectomy, and resection of a fallopian tube. We will assess changes in type of care provided and length of stay. We will be able to quantify the changes in severe morbidity related to pregnancy loss after the abortion restrictions, identify who is most impacted by the abortion policy changes, and understand related patient care elements. Our team has the advanced quantitative skills, medical knowledge, and policy expertise to accomplish this research with precision. All team members study and publish on abortion access and reproductive health. This research will reveal opportunities for interventions in health service delivery, state policy, and institutional policy within hospital systems.