Our Issues: Contraceptive Equity

Latinas have been and continue to be uniquely affected by developments in contraceptive technology.  Historically, Latinas have been the targets, along with other women of color, of coercive contraceptive policy, including forced sterilization, promotion of more permanent methods of birth control and dishonest contraceptive testing practices.  Today, while we have more birth control options, cultural and linguistic differences often make Latinas the last to know what is available.  Additionally, because Latinas have the highest rate of women without health insurance, seeing a provider and accessing birth control is not an option for many women.  The history of coerced contraception coupled with the current state of Latina reproductive health makes it especially important for Latinas to become proactive in their sexuality and contraceptive use.

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