04/16/2026
Black Mamas are fighting for their health – and the environment they live in matters more than most people realize. 🌍
This , we're connecting two urgent issues: reproductive rights and environmental justice.
📊 Reproductive Rights:
• Black non-Hispanic women accounted for the highest proportion of abortions in 2022, and the reversal of Roe v. Wade has worsened disparities in abortion access. (CDC, 2024)
• As of January 2026, 41 states have abortion bans in effect. The impact of restrictive abortion laws disproportionately affects Black Mamas who already face systemic barriers to care. (Guttmacher, 2026)
🌿 Environmental Justice:
• Exposure to reprotoxins – harmful substances found in personal care products, water, air, and pesticides – disproportionately affects Black and Latina pregnant people, increasing risks of preterm birth, infertility, and pregnancy loss.
• Climate-related disasters such as extreme heat, flooding, and displacement are linked to depression, anxiety, and psychiatric emergencies during pregnancy.
• Black communities are more likely to be located near environmental hazards, compounding these risks.
The Physical and Mental Health Committee of the Covington Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. affirms: a truly just future for Black Mamas requires clean environments, bodily autonomy, and equitable healthcare. These issues are inseparable.