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Ectopic pregnancy deaths have nearly doubled. It’s worse in states with abortion bans
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- ProPublica analysis reveals a sharp increase in deaths from ectopic pregnancies in the U.S., nearly doubling from about 100 deaths in 2014-2019 to almost 200 deaths from 2020 to 2025, with a steeper rise in states enforcing strict abortion bans after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.
- Delays and refusals in treating ectopic pregnancies in abortion-restricted states have been documented, with patients facing life-threatening situations due to providers' fear of legal repercussions despite medical consensus that ectopic pregnancies require prompt termination to prevent death.
- Experts highlight significant gaps in research, data collection, and training on ectopic pregnancies, compounded by federal funding cuts and diminished CDC capacity, hindering effective response and awareness of this leading cause of first-trimester maternal deaths.
- States with abortion bans often fail to investigate or address the impact of their laws on maternal health outcomes, while other countries like the UK have implemented investigations and policy changes in response to similar ectopic pregnancy mortality spikes.
- ProPublica’s investigation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research, clearer medical guidelines, and policy reforms to prevent avoidable deaths from ectopic pregnancies, especially in states with restrictive abortion laws.
