Catholic Hospitals, Patient Autonomy, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Care in the United States

In the midst of extreme and dualistic religio-political debates regarding women’s sexual wellness and abortion, one begins to wonder what a new theo-ethical approach might look like which rejects overly-simplistic, harmful understandings of such crucial issues. What might it look like to truly centre women’s full human experiences, loving each other in a way that addresses harm and meets tangible needs? This article examines the complex inequitable structural and institutional realities of sexual wellness and abortion through an intersectional theo-ethical lens. The article then proceeds to suggest a new socio-religio-political ‘Pro-Love’ philosophy, undergirded by foundational theological understandings of justice-oriented love, and situated within the broad fields of Feminist, Liberation, Process, and Queer Theologies, within the Christian tradition. The suggested approach requires systematically addressing root issues affecting the lack of equitable access to sexual wellness and the racist/sexist/classist structures forcing women into under-resourced and unsafe environments, leading to high demand for abortion services.

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The Continuing Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: Findings from the 2021 Guttmacher Survey of Reproductive Health Experiences

10.1363/2021.33301 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Laura D. Lindberg ◽

◽

Jennifer Mueller ◽

Marielle Kirstein ◽

Alicia VandeVusse

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Race And Ethnicity ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Fertility Preferences ◽

Reproductive Health Care ◽

Health Experiences ◽

Core Areas

In this report, we analyze the 2021 data, focusing on how respondents feel the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced their sexual and reproductive health in two core areas: fertility preferences and access to care, including use of telehealth. We note disparities according to individuals’ race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, income level and economic well-being. To assess the ongoing scope and magnitude of the impacts of the pandemic, we also examine findings on comparable measures from the 2020 and 2021 GSRHE studies. These data provide four key findings: The pandemic has continued to shift fertility preferences and impede access to sexual and reproductive health care, including contraceptive services. The impacts reported in the summer of 2021 are smaller than those reported earlier in the pandemic but remain pervasive. The pandemic continues to have disproportionate effects on the sexual and reproductive health of those already experiencing systemic social and health inequities. Telehealth services are bridging gaps in sexual and reproductive health care resulting from pandemic-related upheaval, particularly for those who already experience barriers to accessing health care.

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Health Care and Reproductive Politics

Reproductive Politics ◽

10.1093/wentk/9780199811403.003.0022 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Rickie Solinger

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Health Care ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Health Care Reform ◽

Health Care System ◽

The United States ◽

Reproductive Politics ◽

Reproductive Health Care ◽

The World ◽

Health Care Reform Act

What does the federal health care reform act of 2010 say about pregnancy, contraception, abortion, and reproductive health care generally? The United States has the most expensive health care system of any country in the world. Medical costs per person and the percentage of...

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“Making a Way Out of No Way:” Understanding the Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Experiences of Transmasculine Young Adults of Color in the United States

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/10497323211050051 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973232110500

Author(s):

Madina Agénor ◽

Dougie Zubizarreta ◽

Sophia Geffen ◽

Natasha Ramanayake ◽

Shane Giraldo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Young Adults ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

The United States ◽

Care Providers ◽

Reproductive Health Services ◽

Reproductive Health Care ◽

Health Care Experiences

Research focusing on the specific and unique sexual and reproductive health care experiences of transmasculine young adults of color are extremely scarce. We conducted five focus group discussions with 19 Black, Latinx, Asian, Native, and other transmasculine individuals of color aged 18–25 years in the greater Boston area. Using thematic analysis, we found that transmasculine young adults of color experienced cissexism, heterosexism, and racism in accessing and utilizing sexual and reproductive health services. These multiple forms of discrimination undermined participants’ receipt of high-quality sexual and reproductive health information and care from competent health care providers who shared their lived experiences. Participants relied on support from their lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer peers to obtain needed sexual and reproductive health resources and minimize harm during clinical encounters. Multilevel interventions are needed to promote access to person-centered and structurally competent sexual and reproductive health care among transmasculine young adults of color.

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