MCH and Abortion: Towards a Stronger Relationship.
Deborah Allen1, Marjorie R Sable2, Trude Bennett3
1, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Maternal and Child Health Journal
|May 28, 2025
Summary
The history of abortion rights in the US is complex, with feminists leading the fight for legalization. Maternal and child health professionals should advocate for abortion as essential to women's health and equity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Public Health Policy
- Feminist History
Background:
- The history of abortion rights in the US is marked by ongoing legal and social contention.
- Feminist movements have historically spearheaded the advocacy for abortion legalization.
- Recent legal shifts, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade, necessitate a re-evaluation of reproductive rights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the historical trajectory of abortion rights advocacy in the US.
- To analyze the roles of different feminist waves and their strategies in shaping abortion access.
- To examine the engagement of maternal and child health (MCH) professionals with reproductive rights struggles and propose future directions.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of feminist movements and legal decisions impacting abortion rights.
- Examination of advocacy strategies, opponent arguments, and MCH professional engagement across different eras.
- Review of the impact of key legal decisions like Roe v. Wade and Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.
Main Results:
- Feminist activism has been central to the abortion rights movement throughout US history.
- Maternal and child health (MCH) institutions have had varying levels of engagement with abortion rights advocacy.
- The overturning of Roe v. Wade presents significant challenges to abortion access and women's health.
Conclusions:
- Maternal and child health (MCH) must integrate women's reproductive health, including abortion, as central to overall family well-being.
- Building coalitions between MCH entities and reproductive rights advocates is crucial.
- Framing abortion as an equity issue and essential component of public health is recommended for future MCH practice.
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