In a pivotal event on Friday, Oct. 13, the University of California, Irvine’s Program in Public Health, in partnership with the Orange County Women’s Health Project, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, women’s rights activists, and community partners from various fields for a conversation on one of the most important health access issues of our time: Women’s health and equity in a post-Roe era.
Health access is a public health problem, and when women’s freedom to make decisions about their reproductive health is jeopardized by unjust laws and policies – it is a human rights crisis.”
Dr. Bernadette Boden-Albala, Founding Dean
More than 175 attendees received a primer on the current landscape and the hurdles pregnant people must navigate in their reproductive healthcare journey. As articulated by keynote speaker, Khiara M. Bridges, J.D., Ph.D., professor of law at the UC Berkley School of Law, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has especially impacted women of color and those living in poverty, who already face immense barriers.
“Health access is a public health problem, and when women’s freedom to make decisions about their reproductive health is jeopardized by unjust laws and policies – it is a human rights crisis,” said Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, Dr.P.H., director and founding dean of UCI’s Program in Public Health.
Additional panelists – heralding from Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernadino Counties, UCI Health, and UCSF Medical Center – expanded on the evidence and real-life accounts of the impact that restrictive reproductive laws have on patients seeking care and the training of future healthcare providers. The running theme among all speakers was the importance of collaboration, education, and advocacy in ensuring that reproductive justice remains a priority, even in challenging times.
“Just as Chancellor Howard Gillman launched a university-wide thematic year on free speech, academic freedom, and conversations across the divide, we are privileged to be part of an institution that gives space for us to come together, share knowledge and drive meaningful change in the realm of women’s well-being,” Boden-Albala said. “Our hope is that this summit and what we do with this information and discussion will halt the backslide and support policies that nurture women’s health because that’s the only direction to move in.”
This year’s event served as a significant milestone in the summit’s history. Moving forward, the summit’s new home will be at UCI Public Health, where the vision is to launch a center, initiative or institute where the program can train, conduct research and practice a wide range of women’s health equity issues with its network of trusted partners.
“Fortunately, abortion remains safe and legal in California, and the state has enacted important new laws to protect providers, expand access for patients, and diversify the workforce. But we must do more, and the summit is an important first step to mobilize Orange County advocates in the long fight ahead to restore sexual and reproductive health access and equity for all, regardless of where one lives,” said Allyson Sonenshine, J.D., founding director of the Orange County Women’s Health Project.
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Thank you to our KEYNOTE SPEAKER, Dr. Khiara M. Bridges, who explained the history of U.S. law surrounding abortion through the Dobbs decision, the resulting complex web of abortion bans and restrictions across the country, and the implications for health equity. Dr. Bridges also reviewed the Reproductive Justice framework and links between sexual and reproductive health, environmental health, the criminal justice system, and voting rights. View Dr. Bridges’ presentation slides.
Our MORNING PANELISTS discussed the local reproductive health landscape, including where abortion services can be accessed in Orange County and Southern California, the impact of the Dobbs decision on providers and patients (including patients traveling from out-of-state to Orange County for care), and how California is responding to Dobbs by increasing access, expanding and diversifying the workforce, and creating new legal protections. View the morning panel presentation slides.
Our AFTERNOON PANELISTS reviewed important research about deviations from the standard for OB/Gyn care, as well as Google searches for self-managed abortion, since the Dobbs decision. They also explained how pharmacists in California provide new access points for contraception and medication abortion. View the afternoon panel presentation slides.
Finally, the MESSAGE TRAINING debunked a number of abortion myths, educated attendees on the different types of stigma surrounding abortion, and provided new language and tools to shift the narrative around abortion. View the message training slides.
