Health Equity and Reproductive Rights

by Paige Hammond on behalf of Health Equity Initiative’s Board of Directors

“Equality is giving everyone a pair of shoes, 
​Equity is giving everyone a pair of shoes that fits.”
​~ unknown

The fight for reproductive dignity, care, and autonomy is neither new nor singularly faceted. Inequities exist in health outcomes by a person’s sex and/or gender identity, which in turn impacts gender equity, a major determinant of health equity. These ongoing health inequities have been highlighted, especially in recent months. In fact, women are currently faced with significant adversity in relation to reproductive rights, which ultimately affects the health of all women, both physically and mentally. Women are experiencing ongoing attacks on their reproductive rights and are losing the ability to choose outcomes for themselves. This is in addition to other ongoing crises, such as the disproportionate rates of adverse maternal health outcomes within the Black community and other groups that have been marginalized - or experience disadvantage and bias - as the result of related health, racial, and social inequities. 

---

Read More