Oral

Health care for vulnerable and underserved populations is a public health priority. As such, professional standards for delivery of quality health care to incarcerated women have been an area of concern. In this session, panelists will discuss the health care experiences of incarcerated women, strategies to address trauma leading to and resulting from incarceration, and identify areas for improvement. Topics include pregnancy-related care for incarcerated women, mental health interventions employing non-pharmacological and active coping strategies, and social support networks for incarcerated women. This session is intended to be useful to policymakers, health care providers, and advocates involved in prison and/or reproductive health care.

Session Objectives: List barriers to quality care for incarcerated women and articulate interdisciplinary approaches to improving access to care; Describe how mindfulness practices may work to reverse effects of trauma on the mind and body in incarcerated populations; and Discuss sources of stress of women in prison and the salience of social support to their health and well-being