Looking back while moving forward: a justice-based, intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability

Abstract

For the first time in the 21st century, we have an emerging body of research regarding contraceptive use among adult women with disabilities in the United States.We highlight key findings from population-based analyses that found higher odds of female sterilization and lower odds of long-acting reversible contraception use among women with disabilities compared to their peers without disabilities. We consider potential reasons underlying these differences, including discriminatory attitudes and policies that restrict the sexual and reproductive autonomy of people with disabilities. We advocate for a justice-based, intersectional approach to research on contraception and disability with the aim of promoting the reproductive autonomy of people with disabilities.