In the United States, a silent health crisis is unfolding, predominantly impacting Black women and girls. Period poverty, the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and education, is exacerbating existing health disparities and hindering educational and economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
Recent studies reveal alarming statistics about period poverty’s disproportionate impact on Black and Latina individuals. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, two in five people who menstruate struggle to purchase period supplies due to lack of income. A 2021 study by U by Kotex uncovered how this issue affects Black and Latina menstruating people at higher rates than their counterparts.
The consequences of period poverty extend beyond physical health. More than half of those experiencing period product insecurity resort to using makeshift, unsanitary substitutes to manage their menstrual flow. This not only impacts health but also affects mental well-being, education, and work opportunities.
Jennifer Gaines, national engagement manager of Alliance for Period Supplies, notes that period poverty often intersects with food insecurity and homelessness, further compounding the challenges faced by affected individuals.
Efforts to combat period poverty are emerging. Organizations like Mamatoto Village in Washington, D.C., are taking innovative approaches, such as creating period-product pantries offering free reproductive health care products to the community. Their initiative in the 7th Ward, a majority-Black community struggling with poverty, has seen significant uptake, highlighting the urgent need for such resources.
Addressing period poverty requires a multifaceted approach, including policy changes, increased awareness, and community-driven solutions. As Sen. Tammy Duckworth points out, this issue affects not only individual health but also the nation’s economic viability and competitiveness on a global scale.
See “Black Women Need More Access to Free Period Products” (December 9, 2024)
