Analyzing the knowledge of, attitude towards, and barriers to pregnancy options for Black adolescents who have been and/or are pregnant
Abortion and contraception
Awarded 2023
Emerging Scholars in Family Planning
Bria Peacock, MD
University of California, San Francisco
$2,000

Bria Peacock has a strong background in advocating for vulnerable communities, particularly focusing on sexual health education and support for adolescent girls and mothers. From beginning her career as a Youth Program Intern at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington in 2012 to as a first-year medical student, she founded Sisters Informing Healing Living and Empowering (SIHLE) Augusta, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive education and support to Black adolescent mothers and girls. Throughout her journey, she has witnessed the numerous challenges faced by young mothers, including limited access to healthcare, lack of education and employment opportunities, poverty, and domestic violence. The research project focuses on examining the intersection of policy, reproductive health, the experiences of marginalized communities, specifically Black adolescent mothers and girls. The goal is to understand how existing policies and potential geographic differences impact their ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, as well as to identify the barriers they face in accessing healthcare, education, and support services. Through qualitative interviews and digital storytelling, the project aims to gather firsthand accounts and experiences from these individuals, shedding light on the challenges they encounter and the policy gaps that contribute to their vulnerability. The findings will be used to advocate for policy and practice changes that address the unique needs of Black teenage mothers and girls, promote reproductive rights and autonomy, improve access to comprehensive healthcare service, and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy reforms and support services to ensure equitable access and empowerment.