From the Eye of the Storm: New Orleans Perspectives on the Role of Place & Other Social Determinants in Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice

There is a vast significance of place on reproductive health, rights and justice in Louisiana The intersection of multiple oppressions, including racism, classism, and gender discrimination, have been long-standing social ills that disproportionately impact marginalized communities access to basic human rights.  While Louisiana maintains some of the poorest health outcomes, conservative state policies and ideologies continue to restrict access among our most vulnerable communities.

In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, communities of color, particularly women of color, socio-economically disadvantaged and uninsured residents living in New Orleans experienced the highest levels of disaster risk and exposure.  These women have been most impacted by the lack of safe and affordable housing, quality childcare and schools, equitable and sustainable employment, and access to a full range of health services.  Eight years later, while there has been significant development and recovery, multiple oppressions and social determinants such as place, continues to disproportionately increase their exposure to illness, violence, diminished sexual and reproductive health services, mental and emotional health. In fact, a rejection of federal policies and resources, including the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion, and more restrictive and oppressive state policies, further limit access to a full range of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services among our most vulnerable populations.  

This presentation discusses the local, state, and national work of the New Orleans’ based Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies, including how current policies and conditions impact sexual and reproductive health outcomes in New Orleans post-Katrina, using a reproductive justice framework.