2017 Articles

Location, Location, Location: Where You Live Determines Your Access to Abortion

Morrell, Kathleen M.; Davis, Anne R.

Through the hypothetical, but very plausible case of Julia, we illustrate that where a woman lives in the United States impacts her access to the best abortion care. Widespread state-level restrictions on abortion care have increased in recent years and negatively impact a woman’s ability to access quality, unbiased, evidence-based care. Poor women and women of color are disproportionately affected by these restrictions. It is important as medical professionals to understand the political, not medical, motivations behind these laws so we can speak out against them.