Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Contraceptive Use in Young Women

Background: Young women have the highest rates of unintended pregnancies among reproductive­ aged women. Black and Latina women are at highest risk. Few studies have examined reasons for these differences. In this study, we examined disparities in contraceptive use and contraceptive counseling by race and ethnicity among young women. Methods: Using the 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), a cross-sectional, nationally representative database, our analysis included women aged 15-24 years who had sexual intercourse within the past year, and were not pregnant or seeking pregnancy. The primary outcomes were contraceptive use and receipt of contraceptive services within the past 12 months. Results: Young women who identify as Hispanic (H) or Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) are less likely to report current contraceptive use than their non-Hispanic White (NHW) or Non-Hispanic Other (NHO) counterparts. This finding remains statistically significant among NHB women after controlling for confounders (H: adjusted OR=0.57±0.17, 95% CI [0.32, 1.02]; NHB: adjusted OR=0.51±0.13, 95% CI [0.31-0.82;] NHO: OR=1.91±0.67, 95% CI [0.96, 3.81]). There were no differences in birth control counseling received by race/ethnicity. However, NHW and NHO were more likely to have been issued contraception within the last 12 months (H: 49.6%, NHB: 49.0%, NHW: 60.1%, NHO: 64.8; p=0.047). Conclusions/Implications: Young Black and Latina women are less likely to use contraception than other racial and ethnic groups; this difference persists among young black women after controlling for sociodemographic differences. Future studies should explore reasons for the decreased contraceptive usage rate among young black women

The End of Roe v. Wade: Implications for Women\u27s Mental Health and Care

The Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson in June 2022 reversed precedent which had previously protected abortion prior to fetal viability as a universal right within the United States. This decision almost immediately led to abortion restrictions across 25 states. The resulting lack of access to abortion care for millions of pregnant people will have profound physical and mental health consequences, the full effects of which will not be realized for years to come. Approximately 1 in 5 women access abortions in the U.S. each year. These women are diverse and represent all American groups. The Supreme court decision, however, will affect populations that have and continue to be marginalized the most. Forcing pregnant individuals to carry unwanted pregnancies worsens health outcomes and mortality risk for both the perinatal individual and the offspring. The US has one of the highest maternal mortality rates and this rate is projected to increase with abortion bans. Abortion policies also interfere with appropriate medical care of pregnant people leading to less safe pregnancies for all. Beyond the physical morbidity, the psychological sequelae of carrying a forced pregnancy to term will lead to an even greater burden of maternal mental illness, exacerbating the already existing maternal mental health crisis. This perspective piece reviews the current evidence of abortion denial on women\u27s mental health and care. Based on the current evidence, we discuss the clinical, educational, societal, research, and policy implications of the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision