Dobbs Decision Overturns Roe v. Wade, Threatening Black Maternal Health

The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization on June 24, 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal constitutional right to abortion and allowing states to ban it. Black women faced disproportionate impact: they have abortions at higher rates due to lack of contraceptive access and higher rates of unintended pregnancy rooted in health disparities; they experience maternal mortality at 2.6 times the rate of white women; and they disproportionately live in the 26 states that moved to ban or severely restrict abortion. OB/GYN deserts in Southern states with abortion bans primarily affected Black communities.