Monica Simpson Examines Black Women's Lived Experiences with Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Services

Monica Simpson, executive director of Sister Song, joins Health Affairs' Editor-in-Chief Alan Weil to discuss the sexual and reproductive health experience of Black women in the South.

Show Notes

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Racism manifests in different ways for different people in different environments.

For many Black women, experiences with sexual and reproductive health reveal cross-cutting themes of racism, sexism, and classism, all expressed in the context of strong social norms and prejudices regarding Black women and reproduction. 

Attention to poor health outcomes for Black women has grown recently in part due to stories of negative maternity experiences of prominent Black women, such as Serena Williams. Congress has gotten into the act as well and taken steps to address the crisis of high rates of maternal mortality among Black women. 

But what are the individual experiences behind this crisis?

Monica Simpson, executive director of Sister Song, joins A Health Podyssey to discuss a paper her and coauthors published in the February 2022 issue of Health Affairs, an issue devoted entirely to the topic of racism and health. They examined the reproductive health experiences of Black women in the South.

They found that Black women's experiences navigating sexual and reproductive care were informed by both structural and individual racism, often leading to poorer quality care and likely worst health outcomes.

If you enjoy this interview, order the February 2022 Health Affairs Racism & Health theme issue.

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What is A Health Podyssey?

Each week, Health Affairs' Rob Lott brings you in-depth conversations with leading researchers and influencers shaping the big ideas in health policy and the health care industry.

A Health Podyssey goes beyond the pages of the health policy journal Health Affairs to tell stories behind the research and share policy implications. Learn how academics and economists frame their research questions and journey to the intersection of health, health care, and policy. Health policy nerds rejoice! This podcast is for you.