What Should Physicians Consider About American Indian/Alaska Native Women's Reproductive Freedom?

Felina Cordova-Marks; Nikki Fennimore; Amanda Bruegl; Jennifer Erdrich

doi:10.1001/amajethics.2020.845

What Should Physicians Consider About American Indian/Alaska Native Women's Reproductive Freedom?

AMA J Ethics. 2020 Oct 1;22(10):E845-850. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.845.

Authors

Felina Cordova-Marks¹, Nikki Fennimore², Amanda Bruegl³, Jennifer Erdrich⁴

Affiliations

¹ Postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson.
² Resident physician in obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.
³ Associate director of the Education Core for the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence at the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine in Portland.
⁴ Assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson.

PMID: 33103645
DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.845

Abstract

Historically, American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have been subjected to a lack of control over various aspects of their lives, including their reproductive health. In discussions of family planning with AI/AN patients, clinicians must consider past violations of reproductive rights and the need for transparent consent. This article explores the following questions: What were historical violations of AI/AN women's reproductive rights? How should physicians express respect for this history and for the autonomy of AI/AN female patients regarding surgical sterilization procedures today?

MeSH terms

Alaska Natives*
American Indian or Alaska Native
Female
Freedom
Humans
Indians, North American*
Physicians*
United States