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Black women, particularly those with low-income, are projected to be the most negatively impacted group following the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v Wade. It is expected that the rate of increase in live births, as well as the rate of maternal mortality, will be steepest for Black women due to high rates of unmet needs for contraception, unintended pregnancies, poverty, barriers to legal abortion access, and systemic racism. Previous research has shown that the legalization of abortion in 1973 significantly improved educational and employment outcomes for Black women, in particular. The current study seeks to assess the perceptions of predominantly under-resourced Black women following the overturning of Roe v Wade. Eighteen Black women participated in one of five focus groups during the summer of 2022 and shared their reactions to the Supreme Court ruling. Using grounded theory, researchers generated the following themes: sexism via forced births, economic implications, and dangers of banned abortions. Based on participants’ concerns resulting from the Roe v Wade overturn, policy implications are provided for improving the following systems: safety net, child welfare, and infant and perinatal mental health care.

A compelling body of research supports the race concordance hypothesis, which asserts that racially minoritized patients who share the same race and ethnicity with their provider have improved communication, better perceptions of care, and better health outcomes. Using a mixed methods approach, this study examined (1) the association between racial identity and patients’ preference for race-concordant patient-provider dyads and (2) Black patients’ subjective experiences of race concordance. Data were gathered from 47 Black caregivers who completed both a survey and participated in a focus group. Quantitative analyses revealed that the majority (83%) of caregivers reported that it is important to have a mental health provider of the same race and ethnicity. Greater racial centrality, but not private or public regard, was associated with a stronger race concordance preference. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed six themes related to race-concordant preferences: aspects related to the patient care experience, cultural humility, relatability, diversity in cultural experiences, role models for children, and intersecting identities. Patients with a race concordance preference felt more comfortable with their provider, perceived that it was easier to build a rapport with their provider, and emphasized the value of representation for themselves and their children. Patients who were neutral in their race concordance preference emphasized professionalism over race, valued diverse perspectives, and appreciated their providers’ cultural awareness and willingness to self-educate. The integration of these findings will help to elucidate a more nuanced understanding of the factors that build the therapeutic relationship and cultivate a framework of comfort and understanding in the clinical setting.