For my capstone project I am focusing on the disparities and stigmas that have facilitated decreased access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for Black communities. Black people are seven times more likely than White people to be diagnosed with HIV. They make up 39% of the HIV infected population, despite being 12% of the American population. With PrEP, HIV is highly preventable. I want to identify why Black Americans have less access to PrEP than White Americans. I also explore the consequences of this inadequate PrEP access, and how this can be increased in order to prevent HIV infections in the future. This research is important because HIV is highly preventable today, with access to PrEP. However, HIV is still an infection that can be debilitating, and it is important that we do all that we can to prevent transmission. Black Americans deserve equitable access to PrEP, and deserve a knowledgable provider. This research also explores the relationship between queer people and medical providers, as there is researched and documented stigmas that are passed from provider to patient. Many queer people also feel the need to educate their doctors on agendas related to queer health.

Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in 2022, policymaking for reproductive healthcare shifted from the federal to state level, raising concerns on downstream effects on maternal healthcare. This study evaluates changes in prenatal care utilization and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in California and Texas before (2018–2021) and after (2022–2024) the Dobbs decision. Using CDC WONDER birth certificate data, outcomes were stratified by state, metropolitan vs. nonmetropolitan residence, and number of prenatal visits. Prenatal care utilization was categorized as no care (0 visits), inadequate (1–8 visits), and adequate (≥9 visits). Across both states, the proportion of births receiving adequate prenatal care declined post-Dobbs, while inadequate and intermediate care increased. California metropolitan areas experienced a 3.5% decrease in reported adequate care, while Texas metropolitan areas experienced a 2.4% decrease. Analysis of SMM rates showed mixed patterns; in California metropolitan and Texas nonmetropolitan areas, SMM decreased with increasing prenatal visits, while other groups showed no clear relationship These findings may be indicative of early shifts in prenatal care utilization following Dobbs, though causal conclusions are limited by the short post-Dobbs timeframe and known challenges in measuring SMM. The results highlight emerging disparities in maternal healthcare access and underscore the need for continued monitoring of maternal outcomes in differing state policy contexts.

Geographic isolation significantly impacts access to healthcare services for First Nations Australians, particularly among older adults. This study examines how remoteness influences the availability, quality, and outcomes of aged care services in these communities. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Australian health journals. Keywords included “Indigenous,” “First Nations,” “elder care,” “remote health,” and “healthcare accessibility.” Inclusion criteria focused on English-language studies addressing Indigenous populations aged 50+ in rural and remote Australia. Findings were synthesized to identify systemic barriers and patterns in care delivery. Findings suggested that geographic isolation was associated with limited healthcare access, including long travel distances, reliance on intermittent services, and workforce shortages. Aged care models often lacked cultural competence, failing to align with Indigenous values such as connection to land and community. These gaps contributed to poorer health outcomes, including higher disease burden and reduced life expectancy. Addressing disparities requires increased funding, workforce support in remote regions, and integration of culturally safe, community-led care models to improve health outcomes for First Nations Elders. Ultimately, sustainable improvement will depend on centering Indigenous leadership and culturally grounded approaches within healthcare systems serving remote communities.