Abortion access for marginalized young people after Roe: A mixed-methods study
Abortion
Awarded 2022
Inequities in abortion access
Elizabeth Janiak, ScD, MA, MSc
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
$49,979

Though it is clear from historical precedent and contemporary practice that individuals will travel for abortion care if state-level abortion restrictions increase, it is unknown what factors will drive choice of state for travel, how people will experience interstate travel, and whether abortion accessibility among travelers will vary according to patient age, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and experiences of racism and discrimination, among other factors. To fill this gap, we will exploreabortion care accessibility among abortion travelers to the high-access state of Massachusetts. This preliminary exploration will inform future research and programmatic interventions to better serve the needs of the most vulnerable abortion travelers, particularly multiply marginalized young people, crossing state lines for care. We will leverage our team’s expertise and track record in studying the health impacts of abortion restrictions and discrimination on reproductive health for young people (26 and younger) and transmasculine and gender nonconforming (TGNC) pregnancy-capable individuals. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, we will generate specific recommendations regarding how clinical care providers, ancillary support services such as abortion and travel funds, and hospitable state governments can improve access for abortion travelers who experience the interrelated and overlapping effects of ageism, ciscentrism, heterosexism, and other drivers of social inequality.