A new academic policy review by Michael J. New, Ph.D., Senior Associate Scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, finds that pro-life laws are associated with higher birthrates in the post-Dobbs era.

The analysis summarizes findings from multiple studies published in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Public Economics, and Economic Inquiry. Across differing datasets and methodologies, the research reviewed reports statistically significant increases in births following the enactment of state-level abortion bans and heartbeat laws, typically beginning about seven to eight months after implementation.

The report examines both Texas-style heartbeat legislation and broader abortion restrictions enacted after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, noting similar patterns across multiple states. It argues that while estimates of abortion incidence vary, birthrate data provides a measurable indicator suggesting changes in pregnancy outcomes following shifts in state law.

Dr. New concludes that the body of research shows a consistent statistical association between pro-life laws and increased state birthrates in the post-Dobbs period.

Read the study here.