Anna Maria Davis’ Post

Trump's BRAGS about his SCOTUS picks overturning Roe v Wade and THIS is what that upheaval has wrought--from Tulane's School of Public Health: STUDY FINDS HIGHER MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IN STATES WITH MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS. Translation: women are dying in states w/ abortion restrictions--20 states to date. Trump-Vance are fine with this. Harris-Walz are NOT. "The US maternal mortality rates remain consistently higher compared to other wealthy countries. Concurrently, the past decades have witnessed an increasing passage of policies and regulations restricting access to abortion care across many states, despite abortion being legal since Roe v. Wade (1973). As a result, access to abortion care varies greatly across the US, with six states having only one abortion clinic in operation." #abortionrights #abortion #Trump #election #SCOTUS https://lnkd.in/efwiN-GW

Today is Audiobook Release Day for LIBERATING ABORTION Claiming Our History, Sharing Our Stories, and Building the Reproductive Future We Deserve by Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone Produced by HarperCollins Publishers and HarperAudio Mandi Ogle, Executive Producer Production by BeeAudio. https://lnkd.in/gM9x4mXb I am so very thankful to Renee and Regina for sharing this important work with the world and trusting me with it. I am grateful to Mandi for believing in my ability to not only be politically literate, but to also profoundly care. And, I will never forget the unwavering support of Deanna and Aubree as we tackled the stories of these very real people and these very real circumstances. Circumstances that are very much our collective human past, present, and possible future. In my humble opinion, this piece is life-changing, and will be lifesaving. Publisher’s Summary A galvanizing history of abortion recentering people of color to put forth a timely argument that we must liberate abortion for all. People of color have been having abortions since the dawn of time, yet our access is continuously under attack. In Liberating Abortion, award-winning abortion activist Renee Bracey Sherman and journalist Regina Mahone illustrate the long racist history that brought us to this moment, uncover the hidden figures who set the foundation activists and storytellers are building on today, and explain how abortion has been and remains essential to the health of our communities. Liberating Abortion will take you back to the basics of sex education, detailing the traditions of abortion over centuries, while examining how society makes us feel about our experiences. You’ll find rigorous research, never-before-heard stories, and eye-opening interviews with over 50 people of color who’ve had abortions, including activists, actresses, television writers, politicians, and the two Black members of Jane, the Chicago feminist service that provided abortions before Roe. With poignant storytelling and precise analysis, Liberating Abortion will change how you think about abortion forever. #newrelease #loveaudiobooks #nonfiction #socialscience #humanrights #law #liberatingabortion

In June 2022, the United States (U.S.) Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade, thereby eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Authority now resides with individual states to regulate abortion access in the U.S. The impact of the ruling is expected to exacerbate existing health disparities and produce new inequities in sexual, reproductive, and maternal health outcomes, disproportionately affecting those who are already minoritized and living in States where abortion access has been banned or restricted. Observations from countries that have restricted access to abortion over the past 30 years reveal that such laws increase rates of unsafe abortion, which in many instances leads to pregnant people becoming severely ill or dying from preventable causes.

Hard-hitting article in the New Republic on the impact of US foreign policies on abortion access and the global reach of the American anti-abortion movement. The data is alarming, as Jodie Enda writes, “nearly half—45 percent—of the 73 million abortions performed worldwide each year are unsafe. One big reason: U.S. anti-abortion policies.” For over 50 years the US has “used the power of the purse to force poorer nations to abide by the anti-abortion values of American conservatives or forgo aid for family planning and, more recently, other health care.” One of these polices is the Helms Amendment, which prohibits foreign governments and nongovernmental organizations from using U.S. money “as a method of family planning” or to “motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions,” even in countries where abortion is legal. The harsh reality is that “organizations that perform, counsel, and educate people about abortion are often those that provide condoms, pills, IUDs, and other forms of birth control. If health care providers so much as mention abortion, they can lose money for broader health care services, including contraceptives. Fewer contraceptives equal more unwanted pregnancies. More unwanted pregnancies equal more abortions. More abortions in countries that greatly restrict them equal more unsafe abortions. And more unsafe abortions equal more maternal deaths” And who is most affected by these policies? Predominantly Black and brown women who live in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/exJkprHG

Our study on knowledge gaps in reproductive aged Texans made front page news today. This research was conducted with a statewide representative survey. Although many had heard about abortion laws passing in the state in the last two years, nearly three out of four (73%) did not know someone cannot get an abortion at a Texas clinic. Nearly a quarter (24%) of surveyed Texans incorrectly thought that a law had passed prohibiting out-of-state travel for abortion. This study shows that many Texans think abortion care is still legally available under a broader set of circumstances than it currently is. Because the majority of Texas voters support access to abortion for a range of reasons, disseminating clear information about the specific restrictions imposed by Texas’ abortion laws and their impacts may make Texans even less supportive of policies that restrict abortion access. https://lnkd.in/gDyrEKGM

Professor Norwood asserts "The following is a case study, derived from research conducted for the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network (OPEN) from 2018 to 2022, providing evidence that even before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, not all pregnant individuals in the U.S. were able to enjoy the right to abortion, particularly those who were indigent or residing in rural communities. This case study emphasizes that, while abortion is a necessary human right, reproductive justice extends beyond the discourse of mere “choice.” Reproductive justice, operating within a human rights framework, encompasses more than just abortion. It delves into issues of bodily and parental autonomy, the freedom to choose whether to have or not have a child, and the right to parent that child in a safe environment. Using the case-study method, this study illustrates the importance of access to care, not just choice. If individuals cannot afford reproductive care or cannot physically reach necessary reproductive care services, the concept of choice becomes inconsequential. Reproductive justice advocates aim to address and rectify these disparities in access and resources to ensure all individuals can make informed and autonomous decisions about their reproductive health."

Thurman Georgia Death The Tragic Impact of Abortion Bans: Amber Nicole Thurman’s Preventable Death Amber Nicole Thurman’s tragic and preventable death after an abortion complication exposes the deadly consequences of abortion bans. Her story reveals how restrictive laws delayed critical care, leading to fatal outcomes. Doctors face prosecution for performing necessary medical procedures, putting women's lives in danger. This article explores Amber’s story and the broader crisis in women's healthcare caused by political decisions that prioritize legal risk over patient care. Abortion bans, maternal health, reproductive rights, Amber Nicole Thurman, abortion laws, D&C procedure, women’s healthcare, Georgia abortion law, preventable death, maternal mortality, reproductive health crisis. Amber Nicole Thurman’s death reveals how abortion bans delay critical care, endangering women’s lives. Learn how restrictive laws cost lives. #ReproductiveRights #AbortionBans #WomensHealth #MaternalHealth #HealthcareJustice #PreventableDeath #AmberNicoleThurman #AbortionLaws #MaternalMortality #HealthcareCrisis #ProChoice

📢 Italian lawmakers pass amendment allowing anti-abortion activists access to family planning clinics, sparking celebration from supporters but condemnation from opposition and pro-choice groups. Part of the right-wing government's healthcare package, officials assert it won't alter existing abortion law, but critics argue it restricts women's reproductive autonomy. The amendment permits "nonprofit groups with qualified experience in supporting maternity" into counseling centers issuing abortion certificates, a practice previously prohibited. Italy's largest anti-abortion organization pledges to offer alternatives to abortion, but won't enter clinics. Renewed focus on abortion rights in Europe follows France's recent constitutional move. In Germany, an independent commission recently recommended legalizing abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Stay informed on global issues and SUBSCRIBE to 🌐DailyChatter for more insights: linktr.ee/dailychattergpm *** #Italy #AbortionRights #WomensRights #DailyChatter #GlobalNews #IndependentNews #News #IndependentJournalism #JournalismMatters --- The Washington Post The Associated Press

Another day, another disappointing article about abortion from BBC News! #Jersey carried out a public consultation on #abortion to inform proposed legal changes. Great to hear they are considering updating the law - currently abortion is only available up to 12 weeks and after that (except in exceptional circumstances) people need to travel off the island to get care. Good news is that the majority of respondents (74%) agree that abortion should be available on request in Jersey. However, the BBC article (and headline) seems weirdly fixated on 'gender selective abortions'. It states that "Just over a fifth of people...think abortions should be permitted on the island for gender selection purposes.". What actually seems to be happening here is that people (quite rightly) want abortion decisions to be made by the person who is pregnant, based on her own context. As one quote from the consultation report states: “While I agree with the intention of not allowing terminations for this reason, I do not think this is workable in combination with termination upon request, or even the current law that permits termination when in distress. I think keeping or expanding the law is more important than a clumsy attempt to prevent a small number of terminations for reason of sex.” https://lnkd.in/e3nDGUNY What would be nice is if: a) we could just have access to the healthcare we need without having to respond to consultations b) we didn't need to structure this particular part of healthcare around 'allowing' some abortions based on specific circumstances and the opinions of doctors. In my opinion, the *questions* of this consultation are already fencing people in to something which is restrictive. But anyway, my positive take-away is that most people in Jersey want to see access to safe, legal abortion. I hope they get it. https://lnkd.in/e3PjbisD

There are multiple reasons why people find themselves facing investigation under our current abortion laws. Our stance is clear: no one should be criminalised for having an abortion. Over 200,000 abortion procedures are carried out each year in England and Wales alone, and the vast majority of these are carried out lawfully, through licensed NHS providers. But what about the small minority who do end their pregnancies outside the law? How and why does this happen? And why are we as a society threatening women with prison when they are almost always trying to access essential healthcare under painfully difficult circumstances? No matter what you feel about abortion, it cannot be in the public interest for people in these circumstances to be threatened with jail. The heartbreaking stories we hear all indicate a need for compassion, support, and in many cases, urgent help. MPs will soon be voting on Diana Johnson MP's amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which would stop anyone facing prosecution for ending their own pregnancy in England and Wales. Click on the link below to read our latest blog from Louise McCudden, UK Head of External Affairs at MSI Reproductive Choices, on why someone may have an abortion outside the law, why we support Diana Johnson's amendment, and learn how you can help: https://lnkd.in/ebRChkU3