Payal Chakraborty

Assistant Professor of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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About Payal

Dr. Chakraborty is an epidemiologist whose research focuses on understanding the impact of structural marginalization (e.g., discriminatory policies, restrictive reproductive health policies) on disparities in sexual and reproductive health outcomes in various populations. Overarching themes in Chakraborty's writings include topics across the reproductive justice spectrum. For example, she has conducted research quantifying use of nonpreferred contraceptive methods, impacts of restrictive reproductive health policies on accessing care, and disparities in adverse pregnancy outcomes among LGB+ populations.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | Member Spotlight | In the News | Publications

Contributions

If Abortion Is Banned in Ohio, Seekers Would Have To Drive 157 to 269 Miles

Payal Chakraborty

Commentary, May 2022

In the News

Quoted by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman in "Ohio Research: Post-Roe Scenario Would Increase Travel for Abortion Care," Public News Service, May 14, 2022.

Publications

"Abortion Travel Within the United States: An Observational Study of Cross-State Movement To Obtain Abortion Care in 2017" (with Payal Chakraborty, Zoe Muzyczka, Elaina Johns-Wolf, and Jenny Higgins). The Lancet Regional Health 10 (2022).

Mentions in the US in 2017, an average of 8% of patients left their state of residence to access abortion care. Shows state-level abortion policy and scarcity of abortion facilities are associated with cross-state travel to obtain abortion care.

"Abortion Access in Ohio’s Changing Legislative Context, 2010–2018" (with Payal Chakraborty, Alison H. Norris, Kaiting Lang, Robert B. Hood, Sarah R. Hayford, and Lisa Keder). American Journal of Public Health (2020).

Examines abortion utilization in Ohio from 2010 to 2018 when about 15 laws restricting abortion went into effect. Reveals abortion policies co-occur with later abortions, suggesting delays to abortion care. Restrictive policies also increase geographic inequities, especially in rural areas.

"Use of Nonpreferred Contraceptive Methods Among Women in Ohio" (with Maria F. Gallo, Alison H. Norris, John Casterline, and Abigail Norris Turner). Contraception Journal 103, no. 5 (2021): 326-335.

Establishes about a quarter of adult reporductive aged women in Ohio reported not using their preferred contraceptive method in 2018–2019. Mentions affordability and poor provider satisfaction related to contraceptive care were associated with not using one's preferred contraceptive method.

"How Ohio’s Proposed Abortion Bans Would Impact Travel Distance To Access Abortion Care" (with Payal Chakraborty, Alison Norris, Stef Murawsky, Mikaela H. Smith, and Michelle L. McGowan). Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (2022).

Studies how travel distance to abortion care would be impacted if any of three of Ohio's proposed abortion bans go into effect in a post-Roe context. Stresses distance for Ohioans would increase dramatically from an average of 26 miles as of February 2022 to 157 miles in a best case post-Roe scenario or 269 miles in a worst-case scenario.

"Federal, State, and Institutional Barriers to the Expansion of Medication and Telemedicine Abortion Services in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia During the COVID-19 Pandemic." (with Payal Chakraborty, Kelsey Mello, Mikaela H. Smith, B. Jessie Hill, Alison H. Norris, and Michelle L. McGowan). Contraception Journal 103, no. 5 (2021): 111-116.

Shows the REMS on mifepristone is a barrier to expansion of medication and telemedicine abortion services in OH, KY, and WV, but lifting of the REMS alone would not expand access to medication abortion because of other state restrictions.

"Passage of Abortion Ban and Women’s Accurate Understanding of Abortion Legality." (with Payal Chakraborty, Alison Norris, Maria F. Gallo, John B. Casterline, and Abigail Norris Turner). American Journal Obstetrics and Gynecology 225, no. 1 (2021): 63.

Discusses how among reproductive-aged women in Ohio, legislative and judicial activities around Ohio's 6-week abortion ban was associated with increased percentages of women believing abortion to be illegal. Clarifies that Ohio lawmaker's attempts to restrict abortion in the state could lead to women believing that abortion is illegal, even when when unsuccessful.