Impact of Policies

Government policies profoundly shape women's health outcomes, directly influencing access to essential healthcare services and resources. Abortion bans, for instance, have been linked to immediate and long-term challenges, including increased housing instability among vulnerable populations. Research conducted by our team at the Women's Health Intelligence Lab has highlighted a surge in short-term housing needs directly attributable to restrictive abortion policies, underscoring the broader socioeconomic ripple effects involved (Sehgal et al., Public Health, 228, 200-205).

Female military service members stationed in states with restrictive abortion laws encounter unique challenges that compound existing barriers to care. Our studies have demonstrated that the Dobbs decision significantly increased travel time and financial costs associated with accessing abortion services for this population (Rader et al., JAMA, 331(1), 75-77). These findings reveal the heightened vulnerabilities imposed by intersecting policy restrictions on already underserved groups.

Moreover, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision has had a pronounced impact on spatial access to abortion facilities across the United States. Our investigations found that travel times to abortion facilities increased dramatically post-Dobbs, particularly in underserved regions, further exacerbating health inequities (Rader et al., JAMA, 328(20), 2041-2047). These insights underscore the critical need for comprehensive policy analysis and advocacy to address barriers, aiming to ensure equitable healthcare access for all women.