This LSU group combats Louisiana’s Reproductive Health Crisis
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Louisiana has long had one of the highest rates of maternal mortality and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in the United States. World Population Review reported that as of 2024 the state had the 15th highest maternal mortality rate and U.S. News and World Report had it ranked second for STIs. Louisiana’s young adult population still faces barriers to accessing reproductive and sexual healthcare. Despite the high numbers of people in need of OB-GYN care, finding appointments and receiving care is incredibly difficult.
Kelly Baquet is a nurse practitioner who works with Planned Parenthood in New Orleans. “One of the biggest obstacles for women seeking care for gynecological issues like painful periods or irregular periods is that they don’t know what to do,” Baquet explained. The report, titled Criminalized Care, features interviews with patients and healthcare providers for a comprehensive view of the worsening situation of pregnancy and maternal health care in Louisiana. The study focused on the failing health-care system in Louisiana as a result Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and Louisiana’s growing restrictions of abortion access. The report stated that more than 300,000 Louisiana women live in “contraceptive desserts”, where they have limited access to health centers offering a full range of contraceptive options. Students like Julianna Jackson, an undergraduate student at Louisiana State University, are working to push back against this norm in the state.
Jackson is an officer for Feminists in Action, a LSU student organization that promotes intersectional feminism and awareness at the university and the surrounding community. Jackson stated that students have a difficult time getting OB/GYN care. “Our doctors try their best but they are just so busy. We do have an OB-GYN on campus, but it’s extremely hard to get an appointment because they’re so busy.”
Doctors at specialty hospitals–which are often located in more urban parts of the state, like New Orleans–noticed an uptick in referrals from rural hospitals in wake of the Dobbs ruling, the “Criminalized Care” report found. According to one physician, rural hospital lawyers will often tell providers not to treat patients who are experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies but rather transfer them. The increase in patient volume at specific facilities increases existing delays in care, according to the report.
Baquet said that she sees pregnant patients who were advised to wait until 10 or 12 weeks into their pregnancy to be seen by an OB-GYN due to long wait times, and some non-pregnant patients who have had to wait up to five months for appointments with physicians they already see. Planned Parenthood New Orleans offers same-day contraceptives and care. Baquet says that many patients are surprised when they find out how short the wait time is, compared to the long wait times at other offices. We often hear, “Oh my God, I received care the same day!” or “I didn’t know you existed.” I was telling a friend that I couldn’t get to my OB, and somebody told me to come.'”
Feminists in Action partners with Planned Parenthood for events and tabling sessions around campus, and the group works to connect students with resources and education about reproductive and sexual health. Last year, Feminists in Action distributed 1,500 boxes of emergency contraception for free to people around campus.
Going forward, Jackson said the group plans to continue its “no questions asked” free distribution of emergency contraceptives to bridge the gap between health-care access and university students.
“They’re
able to reach out to us, and we’re very quick to respond,” Jackson said. Jackson said that students can reach out to the group and we will respond quickly.
