The new book Side Effects by Alice Miranda Ollstein explores the wide-reaching impact of abortion bans, suggesting these laws affect more than just reproductive health. As a political reporter for Politico, Ollstein traveled the United States to investigate the repercussions following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Founded by abolitionists in 1865, The Nation has documented cultural and political developments, offering a progressive and independent perspective. Amy Littlefield reports for The Nation on Ollstein’s findings.
While writing hundreds of articles, Ollstein interviewed a diverse group including patients, doctors, pharmacists, and researchers. She discovered that abortion restrictions diminish the quality and accessibility of health care broadly, going beyond their immediate reproductive focus.
Ollstein’s insight came as she gathered narratives from those directly affected by evolving health care laws. She argues that legislative changes extend their influence into various aspects of medical care, impacting the health infrastructure as a whole. Her experiences and research culminated in her book, Side Effects: How Abortion Bans Impact Everyone’s Health, published by The New Press in October.

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