Casualties of the World War II metaphor: women's reproductive health fighting for narrative inclusion in COVID-19. Issue 3 (21st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bailey, Yuki; Shankar, Megha; Phillips, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Medical humanities. Volume 48:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 264
• Publication Date: 2021-06-21
• Subjects: social anthropology -- COVID-19 -- family planning -- domestic violence -- narrative medicine; Medicine and the humanities -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; 616.1
• DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2021-012152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-215X

Abstract

Abstract : While the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, politicians and media outlets in the USA have compared the pandemic with World War II (WWII). Though women's reproductive health has been affected by both COVID-19 and WWII, these specific health needs are not included in either event's mainstream narrative. This article explores the pandemic's war metaphor through the lens of women's reproductive health, arguing for a reframing of the metaphor. Narrative-building determines how health needs are perceived and addressed. A modification of the WWII metaphor can ensure that the narrative formulating around COVID-19 is inclusive of the women's reproductive health needs that are eminently present.