Birth Justice
Reproductive justice is a public health imperative rooted in the understanding that reproductive health is shaped by systems of power and oppression. Developed by Black women activists, reproductive justice expands beyond individual choice to consider the structural conditions that shape reproductive autonomy. Our lab examines how racism, classism, and gender oppression influence maternal and infant health outcomes, access to reproductive healthcare, and the ability to parent in safe and supportive environments. We conduct research on disparities in maternal mortality, the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes, and the impact of reproductive healthcare policies on Black communities. By using critical race theory as an analytical lens, we expose how structural racism manifests in reproductive health inequities and work toward policy and programmatic solutions that center Black birthing people’s needs and experiences.
