Reproductive Justice as a Public Health Tool to Improve the Reproductive Health of Latina Immigrants

Latinas face myriad reproductive health challenges as evidenced by national and state statistics. These statistics speak to inequitable access to resources and opportunities in all realms of society, including, but not limited to, health care. Addressing health in a holistic manner, acknowledging its root causes, and engaging the community is key to sustainable and transformative change. Reproductive justice is closely aligned with public health's understanding of the social determinants of health by focusing on the root and context of reproductive health outcomes. The Sembradoras de Justicia Reproductiva (Those Who Sow Seeds of Reproductive Justice) program is a partnership between two non-profit organizations in Kentucky and offers monthly two-hour sessions with foreign-born Latina immigrants. Based on the reproductive justice framework, the program addresses reproductive and sexual health and offers childcare, food, information, and a safe space to explore assumptions to those participating. The program is facilitated in Spanish to a group of anywhere from 10-21 adult women, and addresses issues such as anatomy and functions, family planning, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, intimate partner violence and sexual assault, sexual identity and orientation, immigration and reproductive rights, speaking to your children about sexuality, pregnancy and childbirth, and others. Sessions consist of a brief presentation-- including participatory activities-- and are primarily participant-lead and centered on conversation and self-reflection. Key components are co-learning, shared evidence-based and experiential knowledge, valuing our own experiences, leadership-building, and finding our individual and collective voice in a safe space. This session will explore the development and implementation of this program (and its underlying framework and approach), and provide preliminary evaluation data.