"Women’s bodies are not an elective.”

That’s a bumper sticker neuroscientist Emily Jacobs would love to see.

Jacobs, a professor of psychological and brain sciences, will explain exactly what the quote means — and why it’s so important that women receive equal care and consideration in medicine — at a free, public talk Saturday, Sept. 9, from 4–6 p.m., in Direct Relief’s Hatch Hall.

Her talk is part of an event called New Frontiers in Women's Health, a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara Affiliates, The Ann S. Bowers Women’s Brain Health Initiative and the Santa Barbara Women’s Health Coalition (SBWHC). Jacobs will also participate in a discussion with SBWHC founder Dr. Katrina Mitchell.

“The mission of the SBWHC is to advance the quality of healthcare for women in our community,” said Jacobs. “It grew out of the ashes of the Dobbs decision and the realization that we could and should take stock of how our community is (and isn’t) serving women over the entire life course, specifically around three areas: children and adolescent health, reproductive and maternal health, and aging and menopause.”