In the 2024 election, Marylanders voted in favor of protecting women’s dignity, rights, and autonomy and making it difficult for lawmakers to limit reproductive care in the future. But women still face many disparities rooted in socioeconomic, racial and geographical inequities that are barriers to achieving comprehensive reproductive health care for all women. To address these challenges, policymakers, stakeholders and health care providers must ensure accessible resources.

One of the most concerning disparities in women’s reproductive health is the racial gap. African-American women and Hispanic women have higher rates of unfortunate reproductive health outcomes compared to other ethnicities. Black women have the highest death rate for reproductive-related cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. African-American women are three times more likely to experience pregnancy-related complications and maternal mortality. This statistic is a result of systematic inequalities in health care access and quality. These disparities coincide with socioeconomic factors.

Women who have low incomes often do not have access to affordable health care services, including prenatal care, contraception, abortion services and preventative services. The Affordable Care Act attempted to expand medical coverage, but the change only affected a few women. Most inner-city residents with Medicaid must choose from a list of facilities that accept their insurance, and many of these facilities are low-funded, while women who have private insurance receive high-quality patient-centered care. Privately owned facilities will not take state insurance for several reasons, including not wanting to deal with the complexity of the medical needs of Medicaid recipients. Also, Medicaid reimbursement rates are lower than those that have private plans, creating a pay cut for the practice. A woman’s ZIP code can also affect her access to essential reproductive care.

Women in rural areas face geographical disparities that affect their access to services due to a scarcity of facilities and providers. The closure of rural clinics and hospitals creates health care deserts, so women must travel distances to receive care. This financially strains women and delays their access to time-sensitive appointments. The intersection of these disparities creates barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized women.

Efforts to address these issues require a multifaceted approach with multiple components. The first step is expanding Medicaid so that more women can access care. Women who work full-time jobs and have incomes over the required salaries do not qualify for Medicaid, which causes them to neglect health issues because they cannot afford out-of-pocket costs, which will then contribute to the rising number of women’s reproductive health problems and diseases.

Improving the quality of care is also essential. Providers must be trained to understand all women’s diverse backgrounds and needs. Every different ethnic group has a unique background. The provider is responsible for ensuring that the patient experiences an environment of trust and respect. Many women have experienced a time when they felt unheard or dismissed.

Comprehensive reproductive health education is the cornerstone of improving women’s outcomes. Equipping young women with the knowledge they will need to make decisions about their reproductive health will help in the fight against women’s reproductive diseases. We should teach them to speak up for themselves and how to explain any problematic symptoms to the doctor. Young girls must learn to voice their opinions and elevate their voices to speak on the women most affected by these disparities. If they’re informed about the reproductive issues women face, they can be proactive and understand the importance of keeping up with annual screenings. Promoting education will create a foundation for a healthier community.

Tameaka Jones is a student at Coppin State University studying social work.