The aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade last summer has left a significant impact on Latinas, who remain the largest group of women of color affected by current or likely state abortion bans. Our commitment to women's health remains steadfast, especially as we acknowledge the challenges Latinas face in states with restrictive abortion laws.
A recent analysis conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice reveals a startling truth. Close to 6.7 million Latinas, constituting 43% of all Latinas aged 15-49, now reside in 26 states where abortions have been banned or are likely to be banned. This number has grown by 200,000 in just a year, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Three-quarters of these Latinas are concentrated in Texas, Florida, and Arizona, states where abortion restrictions have made access to reproductive health care increasingly challenging.
It's not just the Latinas themselves who are affected; more than 3.1 million Latinas impacted by current and future abortion bans are already mothers, and around 27% of them have children under the age of 3. Denying women access to abortion care can have negative consequences for both their economic security and the development of their children. Multiple studies have shown that women who are denied abortion access face worse economic and mental health outcomes than those who receive care.
The lack of reproductive health and abortion access has further exacerbated economic disparities. More than 3 million Latinas in states where abortion is becoming increasingly inaccessible live in economically insecure conditions, with family incomes falling below 200% of the federal poverty line. Over 1.4 million Latinas in these states work in the service industry, often experiencing low wages and a lack of access to health insurance and paid leave. This complicates their ability to afford and access abortions and other forms of reproductive health care. Economic justice and reproductive justice are intertwined; we cannot have one without the other.
These restrictions on abortion and reproductive health access come at a time when Latino children and their families are already grappling with the consequences of the expiration of a temporary child tax credit expansion. With the end of federal child care funding, Latinx families are facing challenges on multiple fronts, creating a complex web of reproductive and economic justice issues. These difficulties are further exacerbated by misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Hispanic communities, spreading falsehoods about the legality and health implications of abortion.
In the midst of these challenges, Dr. Emily Women's Health Clinic remains dedicated to empowering women and ensuring access to the care they deserve. We stand with Latinas and women of all backgrounds, committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive reproductive health care services. Our mission is to ensure that every woman, regardless of her background, has access to safe and affordable reproductive health care. Together, we can break down the barriers and create a more just and equitable future for all.
