Reproductive Health and Coronavirus Disease 2019–Induced Economic Contracture: Lessons From the Great Recession

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has magnified disparities in care, including within reproductive health. There has been limited research on the implications of the financial calamity COVID-19 has precipitated on reproductive health, including restricted access to contraception and prenatal care, as well as adverse perinatal outcomes resulting from economic contracture. We therefore examined the Great Recession (the period of economic downturn from 2007–2009 also referred to as the 2008 recession) to discuss how the current financial difficulties may influence reproductive health now and in the years to come. The existing literature examining the impacts of economic downturn on reproductive health provides a resounding body of evidence supporting the need for state and federal investment in comprehensive reproductive health care. Policies directed at expanding access to programs such as Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Medicaid (WIC), extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months’ postpartum, continuing coverage for telehealth services, and lowering barriers to access through mobile care units would help mitigate anticipated effects of a recession on reproductive health.