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Whitney S. Rice

Rollins Assistant Professor of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences and Director of the Center for Reproductive Health Research in the Southeast, Emory University
Chapter Member: Georgia SSN
Areas of Expertise:

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(404) 727-2925

About Whitney

Dr. Rice is a public health researcher, passionate about advancing equity in family planning outcomes, care, and scholarship through stakeholder-centered and engaged production and translation of scientific evidence, and trainee mentorship and inclusion. Her research broadly examines the implications of social and systems–level factors (e.g., stigma and policy) for sexual and reproductive health care access and utilization, particularly in family planning and HIV care.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

The Reproductive Stigmas Faced by Low-Income Young Women in the Deep South

  • Janet M. Turan
Key Findings Brief,

Publications

"Perceptions of Intersectional Stigma among Diverse Women Living with HIV in the United States" (with Carmen H. Logie, Tessa M. Napoles, Melonie Walcott, Abigail W. Batchelder, Mirjam-Colette Kempf, Gina M. Wingood, Deborah J. Konkle-Parker, Bulent Turan, Tracey E. Wilson, Mallory O. Johnson, Sheri D. Weiser, and Janet M. Turan). Social Science & Medicine 208 (2018): 9-17.

Discusses how women living with HIV perceive various forms of stigma and discrimination (i.e. gender, race, income level, incarceration history, and weight) from multiple sources, including communities, close others, and within systems. Shows how these overlapping stigmas have unique clinical implications for HIV-positive women.

"Association Between Internalized HIV-Related Stigma and HIV Care Visit Adherence" (with Kaylee B. Crockett, Michael J. Mugavero, James L. Raper, Ghislaine C. Atkins, and Bulent Turan). Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 76, no. 5 (2017): 482-487.

Investigates the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma (or negative self perception regarding having HIV) on attendance at scheduled HIV care visits and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (medication to treat HIV) among people living with HIV in Birmingham, AL. Indicates an association between internalized HIV stigma and HIV care visit adherence, as well as on adherence through HIV care visit adherence; suggesting multiple intervention targets to promote engagement in HIV care.

"Disparities in Infant Mortality by Race Among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Infants" (with Samantha S. Goldfarb, Anne E. Brisendine, Stevie Burrows, and Martha S. Wingate). Maternal and Child Health Journal 21, no. 7 (2017): 1581-1588.

Studies the implications of racial difference for infant health outcomes among Hispanic and non-Hispanic ethnic groups using national data from 2007-2008 infant birth records. Finds that the risk of infant mortality varies among Hispanic infants and non-Hispanic infants by race; with poorer outcomes experienced by Hispanic black and to a greater degree, non-Hispanic black infants.

"Norms and Stigma Around Unintended Pregnancy in Alabama: Associations with Recent Contraceptive Use and Dual Method Use Among Young Women" (with Bulent Turan, Kari White, and Janet M. Turan). Women & Health (2018).

Examines the role of social perceptions about unintended pregnancy in young women's use of any contraceptive and in dual contraceptive method use (use of both long-acting contraceptives and condoms). Finds that young women in Alabama who perceived that their own unintended pregnancy would be disapproved of by close others were more likely to use any contraception, and young women who agreed with negative perceptions of a young woman who has an unintended pregnancy were less likely to use dual methods. 

"Norms and Stigma Regarding Pregnancy Decisions During an Unintended Pregnancy: Development and Predictors of Scales Among Young Women in the U.S. South" (with Bulent Turan, Kristi L. Stringer, Anna Helova, Kari White, Kate Cockrill, and Janet M. Turan). PLOS One (2017).

Describes the development of the Parenting, Adoption, and Abortion Norms and Stigma Scales, three distinct, multidimensional, and psychometrically valid measures of norms and stigma around potential pregnancy decisions in the context of unintended pregnancy among young women. These scales can be used in research examining the role of reproductive stigma in pregnancy decision-making and may also be used in the evaluation of programs and interventions that aim to reduce stigma associated with unintended pregnancy and pregnancy decisions.

"Social Norms and Stigma around Unintended Pregnancy and Pregnancy Options: A Qualitative Study of Young Adult Women in Alabama" (with Janet M. Turan, Kari White, Kristi L. Stringer, Anna Helova, Tina Simpson, and and Kate Cockrill). Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (2016).

Explores perceptions of norms and stigma related to unintended pregnancy, adoption, abortion, and parenthood, and examined racial and ethnic differences in these perceptions, among young, low-income women in Birmingham, Alabama. Finds that young women in our sample perceived social expectations for pregnancy and parenting, and expressed that stigmatization related to adoption and abortion manifests in the form of negative attitudes, stereotypes, and blame; which may influence young women’s health decision-making.