Why Access to Birth Control Matters to Black Women

Hobby Lobby, contraception and you.

A Difference of Opinion - Hobby Lobby was the victor when the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 that certain employers do not have to provide contraception coverage in their health plans. But according to a Dallas Morning News report, "a Reuters/Ipsos poll of 10,693 people conducted before the ruling found that 53 percent of respondents opposed allowing employers to choose what forms of contraceptives their health care plans provide based on their religious beliefs," and some consumers are calling for a boycott of the arts and crafts stores.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Hobby Lobby, Birth Control and You - The Supreme Court recently handed down a 5-4 verdict that will threaten women’s access to birth control. Read more about the Hobby Lobby cases and why access to birth control matters to Black women. — Kellee Terrell (@kelleent) (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Understanding These Cases - Hobby Lobby, a multi-million dollar retail corporation, sued the government because they do not believe that they should be forced by Obamacare to provide birth control, including Plan B, for its female workers as preventive care. They claim it goes against their "religious beliefs." This week, the Supreme Court ruled in Hobby Lobby's favor. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Understanding These Cases - Hobby Lobby, a multi-million dollar retail corporation, sued the government because they do not believe that they should be forced by Obamacare to provide birth control, including Plan B, for its female workers as preventive care. They claim it goes against their "religious beliefs." This week, the Supreme Court ruled in Hobby Lobby's favor. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Opening Up Pandora’s Box - While on the surface this case appears to be birth control and “religious freedom,” it could also open the door for conservative companies to refuse to cover employees for a range of other diseases or treatments like cancer and STDs. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Opening Up Pandora’s Box - While on the surface this case appears to be birth control and “religious freedom,” it could also open the door for conservative companies to refuse to cover employees for a range of other diseases or treatments like cancer and STDs. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Black Women Have the Highest Abortion Rates in the U.S. - It’s no secret that Black women have the highest abortion rates in the U.S. Recent NYC data found that there were more abortions than live births among Black women. Clearly, having stronger access to birth control that is affordable and covered could prevent unwanted pregnancies and help lower these numbers. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images)

Black Women Are Least Likely to Have Access to Plan B - A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 7.9 percent of Black women have ever used a form of emergency contraception. Also, poor Black youth are less likely to have access to Plan B compared to more affluent teens. It’s believed that price and lack of insurance may stand in our way of access to it. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Black Women Are Least Likely to Have Access to Plan B - A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 7.9 percent of Black women have ever used a form of emergency contraception. Also, poor Black youth are less likely to have access to Plan B compared to more affluent teens. It’s believed that price and lack of insurance may stand in our way of access to it. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Birth Control Is Included - Did you know that under Obamacare, name brand and generic birth control and other forms of hormonal contraception like the patch and IUDs are covered under these insurance plans? That means no more co-pay. (Photo: GettyImages)  

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Birth Control Ain’t Cheap - In a survey cited on the Huffington Post, 51 percent of African-American women aged 18 to 34 reported having trouble purchasing and consistently using birth control due to its high cost. Having it included in preventative care and even covered with no co-pay can strengthen our access and keep more money in our pockets.(Photo: Keith Brofsky/Getty Images)

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CON: You Could Miss Out on a Valuable Experience - Many employers value hands-on work experience and proven success more than multiple degrees. Continuing school, especially if you go directly from undergrad, rather than working in your field first, can make you an expensive entry-level worker if you haven’t actually worked. (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)

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Family Planning Betters Our Lives - Past studies have shown that having consistent access to family planning services increases the chance for women to finish high school, go to college and establish their careers. Not having access can translate into not finishing high school, low-wage jobs and increased risk for poverty.  (Photo: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images)

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It Also Betters the Lives of Our Children - Having better access to birth control also strengthens the lives of our kids, who, when born to mothers with low access, are more likely to be incarcerated, not finish high school and have unplanned pregnancies of their own. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill)

My Man Isn’t on the Low, So We Don’t Need Condoms - Study after study has shown that down-low men are not fueling the AIDS epidemic among Black women. So why do we still believe it? Think: If heterosexual sex is how we are being infected, that means straight Black men have this disease, too. So rap it up, regardless of who you’re with.(Photo: Touchlife Images/Getty Images)

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Don’t Forget About Condoms Though - While birth control is important to Black women, it’s also important to point out that when it comes to preventative reproductive care, we have to remember that we bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS and STD epidemics. Condoms and routine testing are just as important as birth control. (Photo: Touchlife Images/Getty Images)