A Geographic Perspective on Abortion Access in Michigan
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Keywords: Reproductive rights, abortion, drive-time, Michigan
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract
Authors:
Leah Anderson, University of Denver
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Abstract
The landmark 1973 United States Supreme Court case, Roe V. Wade, set the precedent declaring abortion as a fundamental human right. Abortion has since been a controversial topic challenged by states that intend on enforcing restrictions to regulate abortion and impose limitations to a women’s bodily autonomy. In June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled on the case Dobbs v. Women’s Health Organization striking down Roe and ultimately revoking the constitutional right to abortion. Michigan falls within the category of a state that imposes restrictive limitations on providers which inhibits a person’s access to safe, legal abortion and contraception. Pro-life beliefs/ideologies, laws and legal implications, and geographic barriers to abortion providers in Michigan create unnecessary challenges ultimately requiring those who seek abortion to have to navigate complex institutional structures. This new uncertainty in a post-Roe world will only exacerbate and limit the accessibility to a safe and legal abortion. This research provides a geographic perspective to identify situational, institutional, historical, and environmental factors that may impede on a person’s ability to obtain an abortion service in Michigan. Specifically, this research uses a drive-time analysis to gauge accessibility in Michigan.
A Geographic Perspective on Abortion Access in Michigan
Category
Paper Abstract
