Erica Hensley

Erica Hensley is an independent health and data journalist based in Jackson, Miss. where she covers reproductive and health equity. Her COVID-19 work helped put national attention on Mississippi’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. From Georgia originally, she’s won Atlanta Press Club investigative awards for a series on lead exposure.

Photo of doctor examining a child with her mother

Here’s What Mississippi Won’t Tell the Supreme Court About Women’s Well-Being in the State

Erica Hensley

Despite Mississippi having one of the highest mortality rates for both birthing people and infants, officials are painting a reality that doesn't exist.

Photo of clinic escort volunteers wearing pink vests standing outside of the Planned Parenthood building in New York City

COVID-19 Strained Public Health Systems. In Mississippi, Health Officials Made It Worse.

Erica Hensley

Some states used a rare loophole to divert family planning funds into the pandemic response, but the cuts were especially deep in Mississippi.

Photo of Black woman and her kid at the doctor's office

How Mississippi Leveraged the Pandemic to Further Decimate Reproductive Health Access

Erica Hensley

Mississippi diverted federal funds for family planning into the state's pandemic response, leaving clinics without staff and patients without health care.

Photo of Ashley Peterson speaking at a podium with an audience sitting in tables

Meet the Unlikely Pair Who Are Challenging Mississippi’s Pro-Life Claims

Erica Hensley

Faith leaders are doing "slow culture change work" to confront abortion stigma in their communities and rally against the "pro-life" status quo.

Photo of Black woman holding her child and both are wearing masks

If Mississippi Were Truly Pro-Life It Would Stop Banning Abortion

Erica Hensley

Mississippi has a health-care crisis. By asking the Supreme Court to ban abortion, attorneys for the state are deepening it.

Black woman standing in front of big white truck that says planahealth.org

Mobile Health Clinics Could Revolutionize Reproductive Care in the South

Erica Hensley

Plan A is bringing health care directly to Mississippians—and at a time when access continues to be threatened.

Erica Hensley

Here’s What Mississippi Won’t Tell the Supreme Court About Women’s Well-Being in the State

COVID-19 Strained Public Health Systems. In Mississippi, Health Officials Made It Worse.

How Mississippi Leveraged the Pandemic to Further Decimate Reproductive Health Access

Meet the Unlikely Pair Who Are Challenging Mississippi’s Pro-Life Claims

If Mississippi Were Truly Pro-Life It Would Stop Banning Abortion

Mobile Health Clinics Could Revolutionize Reproductive Care in the South

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