Graduation Year
2025
Date of Submission
12-2024
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Science and Management
Reader 1
Aditi Vyas
Reader 2
Jessamyn Schaller
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
2024 Ruva Kiara
Abstract
This thesis examines maternal health in the United States by investigating certain outcomes pre-Roe v. Wade and post-Roe v. Wade and then proposing how to examine these outcomes after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Maternal health mortality and morbidity is a growing concern and issue for women and families within the United States. The thesis focuses on four variables that directly impact maternal health: nutrient intake, pre-existing conditions, age, and mental health. In addition, it explores certain factors such as race and state policies that exacerbate outcomes and disparities. Findings show that older mothers face increased risk and poor nutrient levels correlate with worse maternal and fetal outcomes. Mental health challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and depression are linked to poor maternal health outcomes and certain pre-existing conditions may contribute to severe complications in birth or pregnancy or even death. In terms of disparities, non-White women historically suffer through worse health outcomes and across states women are seeking better health care, leaving their home-states with restrictive policies for states with more reproductive care options. To better understand how these outcomes will change and likely worsen with the Trump Administration and increase in restrictive policies across certain states, I propose a longitudinal experiment that examines the long-term impacts of the Dobbs decision on maternal health. The experiment’s focus is on all four variables and additionally examines telomeres; it includes a methodology, participant recruitment data sourcing, measurement techniques, data analysis, and a procedure necessary to analyze the maternal health trends in health care in a post-Roe v Wade society.
Recommended Citation
Kiara, Ruva, "From Roe to Reality: Investigating the Long-Term Impacts of Reproductive Rights Restrictions on Maternal Health Outcomes in the U.S." (2025). CMC Senior Theses. 3853.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3853
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.