Women’s reproductive rights are at risk. The Supreme Court is thinking about striking down a nearly 50-year-old decision on abortion, which will give states control over abortion laws. And although it will undoubtedly affect all women, it will affect black women the most.

What is Roe vs. Wade?

Roe vs. Wade is the 1973 lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court's decision to grant women the “absolute right” to get an abortion.

Roe was a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff who wanted to get an abortion when it was still illegal in Texas at the time. Roe argued against Wade, the county prosecutor, that Texas’ abortion laws were unconstitutional. Back then, abortions were legal in a handful of states, but states such as Texas still banned abortions even if the U.S. Constitution clearly stated otherwise. In case you didn’t know, the U.S. Constitution is supposed to be the supreme law — in other words, it can control state laws.

Prior to Roe vs. Wade, women in certain states could get an abortion as long as it was done to save their lives. You couldn’t get an abortion if you simply weren’t ready to be a mother. Roe was able to spark a debate on whether or not abortion should be legal, and if so, to what extent (i.e. who could control that choice).

In their decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protected a pregnant woman’s right to an abortion and that she should be able to exercise that right without excessive restriction.

Why has it come up again if Roe vs. Wade was decided in 1973?

Roe vs. Wade was a landmark case, so it’s supposed to be what today’s laws are based on. Unfortunately, a leaked opinion from the Supreme Court showed that the court could strike down Roe vs. Wade soon. According to the opinion (although not final) the Supreme Court finds the decision in Roe vs. Wade to be “egregiously wrong” from the beginning.

What will happen if Roe vs. Wade is overturned?

Overturning Roe vs. Wade would rob every woman of her right to choose what she wants to do with her body. Laws could go back to pre-Roe vs. Wade times, meaning that women will lose the ability to freely get an abortion, as the state can now make that choice.

If Roe vs. Wade is repealed, all states across the U.S. can create their own abortion laws. They can decide whether or not to ban or allow abortion.

And while it would be unfortunate for all women, it would impact minority women, particularly black women, the most. Here’s why:

1. Black women are more likely to require access to abortion.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black women are more likely to get an abortion than white women, with an abortion rate of 23.8 per 1,000 women. The reversal of Roe vs. Wade would restrict abortions in every state, especially the southern states where over half of the U.S. black population lives.

There are already thirteen states with “trigger laws” that are set to ban abortion the moment Roe vs. Wade is reversed. Among them is Texas, which has the largest black population in the country.

2. Black women have less financial access to safe abortion.

What will happen to black women in states with an abortion ban? They’ll have to travel to places that don’t prohibit abortions. To solution may seem simple (get an abortion in an abortion-friendly state), but unfortunately, this is easier said than done, as 19 percent of the black population lives below the poverty line.

Abortions are already cost-prohibitive, so the extra expenses would make abortions even more unattainable for most black women. Overturning Roe vs. Wade would be cruel to women who can’t afford to take time off work, pay out of pocket, etc.

3. Black women are at greater risk of pregnancy issues.

Not only is it a great risk to black women’s financial well-being, but also their general well-being. Black women's maternal mortality rate is three times higher than white women's. According to the CDC, black women are more likely to die from childbirth than their white counterparts.

Black women in underserved communities already don’t have access to contraceptives and medical care. By robbing black women of the ability to afford an abortion, you encourage them to get an illegal abortion, and in turn, you put their lives in peril. A bit counterintuitive, considering that saving the mother’s life was considered the “valid” reason to get an abortion pre-Roe vs. Wade.

What can you do?

The reversal of Roe vs. Wade is up to lawmakers; however, there are still plenty of ways you can protect women’s reproductive rights. For one, you can protest and get the word out about Roe vs. Wade. But if Roe vs. Wade is overturned, you can donate to non-profits that allow black women to access safe abortions. Groups such as Saffron Trust provide black women the support they need to get through their struggles, break free from poverty, and more.