PHILADELPHIA (April 16, 2026) – A new commentary in Reproductive Health calls for fetal condition care to be reframed through a Reproductive Justice (RJ) lens, arguing that systemic inequities, not just medical factors, shape the options available to families. A team of researchers, led by Penn Nursing and SisterSong the Women of Color Reproductive Justice Network, authored the editorial which highlights how structural power—rather than just medical necessity—shapes the experiences of families navigating complex fetal diagnoses.
In the US, a baby is born with a congenital anomaly every four and a half minutes. While these diagnoses lead to life-altering decisions, access to care remains profoundly unequal. Lead author Abigail B. Wilpers, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Research Track in the Department of Family and Community Health , emphasizes the need to move beyond a narrow clinical focus.
"Reframing fetal conditions as a Reproductive Justice issue is essential to addressing these inequities," said Wilpers. "This lens reveals the structural forces that constrain autonomy and narrow options. Centering Reproductive Justice can help reduce harm and support meaningful reproductive agency throughout the course of care".
The commentary uses composite cases to show how systems often fail marginalized families:
The authors call on health care leaders and policymakers to invest in supportive infrastructure and RJ-informed training to ensure all reproductive decisions are respected and supported.
In addition to Wilpers, the authors for this editorial include Saisahana Subburaj and Hazel Ekeke both from Penn Nursing; Simran Singh Jain and Lori Rodriguez from SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective; Shukri Jumale of The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital; and Lucinda Canty of the Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.
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The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice, and is ranked the #1 nursing school in the world by QS World University (2026), a distinction it has held nine prior times. Penn Nursing also consistently earns top national rankings from U.S. News & World Report for its BSN and graduate programs and is the top National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded nursing research institution in the United States. By integrating innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice, Penn Nursing prepares nurse scientists, clinicians, and leaders to meet the complex health needs of a global society. Follow Penn Nursing: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram .
Reproductive Health
Navigating fetal conditions through a Reproductive Justice lens: lessons from composite cases in the United States
26-Mar-2026