Exploring Family Planning among Immigrant Communities in California

by Isabella Jacques - June 4, 2024
Mujeres Unidas y Activas, a grassroots community organization serving Indigenous Latina and Indigenous immigrant women in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The unmet need for family planning remains high, particularly among marginalized communities. In the United States, about 11% of sexually active women are not using any form of contraception, with significant disparities among Indigenous and Latina populations. These disparities highlight the importance of factors beyond mere access, such as education and cultural humility, in healthcare services. California, with its rising Latino population, is a state which underscores this issue. In 2021, over 10 million California residents were born outside the U.S., with foreign-born Latinas representing a significant portion. A study revealed that Latina/Hispanic women of color in California were over twice as likely not to use contraception compared to their non-Latino counterparts. This gap underscores the urgent need for comprehensive family planning education and services tailored to these communities. Additionally, it is often true that the policies and norms in one’s region of origin largely influences their choices in terms of reproductive healthcare.

For immigrant Latina and Indigenous women in Northern California, barriers like language, transportation, and healthcare infrastructure complicate access to reproductive healthcare. Misinformation and fear of adverse effects also play significant roles. The availability of Medi-Cal, lack of Indigenous translation services, and unmet need for outreach education prevents many women from accessing family planning. In particular, Indigenous populations in San Francisco have historically been missed by COVID-19 census data and continue to be marginalized within the healthcare system. Despite the presence of over 15,000 Mam (Indigenous to Guatemala), there are few interventions that address reproductive justice as a fundamental aspect of empowerment. Addressing these issues through culturally competent education and support can bridge these gaps. Utilizing platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to disseminate accurate information can help debunk myths and encourage the use of effective contraception methods. By doing so, we can reduce health disparities, promote justice, and enhance overall community health and resilience.

References

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  3. Ruggles, Steven, et al. State Immigration Data Profile: California. Migration Policy Institute , 2021, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/CA.

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