#SayHerName: The Health Consequences of Mass Imprisonment for (Black) Women As the rate of incarceration in the U.S. has increased, researchers have developed an acute interest in understanding how incarceration and release influence health and mortality. Largely missing from this literature, however, is the idea that men’s incarceration may also have implications for the health of their loved ones. The overarching aim of our research is to better understand the implications of mass imprisonment for (1) the physical and mental health of women attached to ever-incarcerated men and (2) women’s health disparities. In this paper, we use data from in-depth interviews with female family members of incarcerated individuals to provide a more nuanced understanding of the experiences these women face and to highlight several mechanisms that may link family member incarceration to poor health outcomes for women. An examination of the health consequences of family member incarceration provides insight on reasons for persistence of racial/ethnic health disparities given that women of color are more likely to bear the burden of family member incarceration and poor health. Find out more about Associate Professor, Hedy Lee: soc.washington.edu… Find out more about PhD Candidate, Angela Bruns: abruns.com |