We mentioned the abortion issue in the episode on Voting Challenges. A woman’s right to chose is an abortion is an important issue. Yet, its one of those issues which our communities don’t talk about. We asked Dr. Alicia Christy (retired Colonel) to return to the show to talk about abortions. Dr. Christy is the Deputy Director of Reproductive Health, VA Office of Women’s Health; Professor,Obstetrics & Gynecology Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She quickly reminded us that the issue is really about reproductive justice. Having access to abortion is just one aspect of reproductive justice. Let’s discuss Abortion and Reproductive Justice.
Dr. Christy points out that restrictions on abortions will impact Black women’s health. Black women are already experience disparate medical treatment. They also have a high maternal mortality rate. Removing abortion as a medical option will increase the risks to Black women’s health. Most of the politicians creating legislation restricting abortions are men. They have an appallingly low level of understanding about how a woman’s body works. And, many of them have no medical training at all. Women experiencing medical crisis during their pregnancies in states with severe anti-abortion legislation are being denied emergency healthcare. The facts of the matter are that medical abortions are necessary treatment in many cases where it isn’t just a question of a woman wanting to terminate a pregnancy.
Even if you believe abortion is against your religious principle, do you want women to die for your belief? Think through it as you listen to Abortion and Reproductive Justice.