The 2023 Local Index covers 50 US cities and counties. NIRH has identified 35 specific policy or programmatic “indicators” by which we evaluate each of the cities and counties, all of which fall within six broader issue categories that NIRH has determined are core to securing and advancing reproductive freedom at the city level. These indicators and the policies and principles of the Model City are based on NIRH’s expertise and values, those of our partner organizations, and the work of allied social justice movements.

It is important to note that while this report is informed by a reproductive justice framework, the indicators and Model City do not encompass all the issues that would be included in a comprehensive reproductive justice analysis. Doing so would require including indicators on safe and affordable housing, community safety, disability rights, initiatives to address intimate partner violence, and a range of other important concerns related to self-determination and human rights.

Local Landscape: To create a more complete profile of each city, and to complement and contextualize the 35 policy indicators, NIRH also collects demographic and additional policy data related to reproductive freedom. This information is reflected in the “Local Landscape” featured on each City Scorecard but does not contribute to a city’s overall score.

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

NIRH researchers review a range of sources to inform the City Scores, including websites of city and county governments, local and state departments of health, departments of education and school districts, and other relevant government agencies and commissions, as well as publicly available information from local community-based organizations and local media. Researchers also conduct phone and email interviews whenever possible with partner organizations, other community-based organizations, departments of health, school districts, and city and county officials in each of the cities. Initial findings are shared with local advocates and departments of health for review. Final City Scores are based on the sum of this work.