Reproductive Justice for All: The Way Forward with Empowerment

The Dobbs decision adversely impacts maternal health, with generational impacts on healthcare access and quality. Analyzing existing data, this article examines the overturning of Roe v Wade, specifically exploring the effect on health disparities, particularly for low-income Black women. This article will discuss reproductive health and decision-making through the lens of the Health Belief Model. Utilizing this model, a strength-based, empowerment approach is recommended as an alternative response to restrictive and harmful maternal health policy. Recommendations are provided to help mitigate the detrimental impacts of the Dobbs decision. The implications for social work practice, policy, and research are discussed.