Shortly before the sixth annual Ifill Forum on March 13, 2025, an esteemed panel of Simmons scholars from diverse disciplines co-presented “Women’s Health is Public Health.” Dr. Ammina Kothari, Dean of The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences, served as the event’s moderator.
“Women’s health is a critical component of overall public health, with many implications for communities and families across the United States and globally,” said Dr. Ammina Kothari, Dean of Simmons’ Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences, when introducing an interdisciplinary panel on March 13, “Women’s Health is Public Health.”
Dr. Heather Shlosser, Dean of the School of Nursing (SON), and Dr. Paul Geisler, Dean of the School of Sciences and Health Professions (SSHP), introduced the expert panelists: SON Professor of Practice Carmen Harrison; Professor and Chair of the Public Health Department Valerie Leiter; faculty member in the Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Tozoe Marton ’18; and Associate Professor of Practice in Public Health Edima Ottoho.
Identifying Barriers to Patient Care
During the first part of the discussion, Dean Kothari asked the panelists about the principal barriers that women — particularly those in underserved areas — face when accessing health care, and the effects these barriers exert on their health outcomes.
As a women’s health care Nurse Practitioner, Professor Harrison has witnessed firsthand how certain barriers impact women and their health negatively.
“Women’s health is often regarded as this specialized concern — but it’s not; it’s a fundamental priority that deserves improved health care services and equitable access to care,” she said.
Harrison noted that systemic gaps in services, research, and policies can lead to misdiagnosis and a lack of screening and knowledge regarding otherwise preventable or treatable conditions. Women in rural areas with economic disadvantages and other challenges will likely experience worse health outcomes.
Professor Leiter addressed the issue of gender-specific barriers by drawing upon her current research on IUDs (intrauterine devices) as indicative of what is happening in the current political climate. This project encompassed two waves of data: the first Trump Administration and the post-Dobbs decision era. According to Leiter’s findings, “Women are seeking out IUDs more and more as a really effective form of birth control.”
However, this increase in IUD usage may also indicate that women, or their providers, are less likely to have these devices removed. “[It’s possible] that women are more willing to tolerate side effects that they weren’t willing to tolerate before because they really want that effective form of birth control [that is less accessible now].”
Tozoe Marton’s response drew from her Brandeis University doctoral research on maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on Kenya. She shared a devastating story of a pregnant teenager from a remote Liberian village who suffered agonizing pain and vaginal bleeding. Given the barrier posed by geographic distance, her husband could not transport her to a medical facility in time to save her life.
As Marton explained, Sub-Saharan African women have a disproportionately high rate of maternal mortality. Despite the Kenyan government’s initiative to train and employ more midwives, “women still experience terrible health outcomes,” she said.
Accordingly, Marton’s research addresses both the professionalization of midwifery and the medicalization of childbirth. Through her ethnographic research, Marton found that a lack of access to basic resources (including medical gloves) hinders the training and practice of health care professionals. “This is more than just training [and employing] midwives,” she emphasized, “we must address the broader systemic barriers that [affect women’s health care].”
Educate and Advocate
Addressing Professor Ottoho, Dean Kothari raised the topic of women’s education and advocacy.
“I would look at my recent work on women’s leadership in global health and domestic health,” said Ottoho, noting that, although women account for two-thirds of the health care workforce, only about 25% rise to senior leadership roles. With this limited representation, women “cannot make enough influence and high-level impacts at the policy level … and this also trickles down to how things are run within the health care system,” she said.
Moreover, Ottoho discussed the need for male allyship. “If you look at the many programs that are focused on gender, they tend to have a majority of women who are attendees [and] participants … So, we need to incorporate more men [and collaborate with] men in the field of health care.”
Harrison’s response revolved around the topic of reproductive health. “This is vital to women’s health, especially in underserved areas,” she said. “In the spirit of women’s health and being a part of this panel, I think it is important to discuss abortion by focusing on the impact on health outcomes, rather than [specific political issues].”
Harrison recounted the story of Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old African American woman from Georgia. Due to a rare complication associated with a medication-induced abortion, Thurman required immediate medical attention for sepsis. Navigating restrictive state laws delayed her care team’s intervention, which ultimately cost Thurman her life.
“Not prioritizing women’s health … cannot be taken lightly,” warned Harrison. “I live and I practice in the community that failed Amber.” For Harrison, Thurman’s story exemplifies the need for timely and equitable care with clear, evidence-based guidelines.
From Classroom to Community
Dean Kothari’s last question to the panelists addressed research on women’s health. “It’s a difficult time,” responded Leiter, who suggested that activism may be the best way to bring about awareness and change.
“People need to get active; we need another wave of a women’s health movement in the US, and for people to rally around their common interests [to help change policy],” she said.
Leiter showed the audience her own copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves (Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, 1970), which emphasizes the need for autonomy, common ground, and evidence-based practice. In concert with Leiter, Marton expressed, “It’s not time to give up … This is a time [for women] to speak even louder.”
Ottoho added, “Supporting each other is critical.” According to her research, women working in health care often reported having more pay equity and better flexible work arrangements when they had female supervisors who understood their needs.
Harrison emphasized the urgency to prioritize research, funding, policies, practice guidelines, and gender-driven data. “We [also need to give] attention to conditions that uniquely affect women across all life stages,” she said.
During the open Q&A with the audience, attendees and panelists acknowledged Simmons’ longstanding commitment to women’s advocacy. Addressing current Simmons students, Marton said, “You are more than just a student … It was here at Simmons where I learned to speak up for myself.” She instructed students to take their classroom discussions out into the world, and engage in conversations with peers, family members, and people who have different points of view.
Addressing younger generations, Ottoho advised them to wield social media effectively. “Share evidence-based research outcomes … [As potential influencers] you have a platform, and you can use it to support women’s health.” Harrison added, “Don’t forget to be active [in local government by contacting] your local legislators.”
Concluding the event, Dean Kothari emphasized the significance of storytelling.
“The media follows the story,” she explained, “So, [I encourage] students to reach out to journalists who may welcome their ideas [and help tell their] stories.”