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. 2017 Jan;107(1):50-54.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303489. Epub 2016 Nov 17.

California's Sterilization Survivors: An Estimate and Call for Redress

Alexandra Minna Stern  1 , Nicole L Novak  1 , Natalie Lira  1 , Kate O'Connor  1 , Siobán Harlow  1 , Sharon Kardia  1
Affiliations

California's Sterilization Survivors: An Estimate and Call for Redress

Alexandra Minna Stern et al. Am J Public Health. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

From 1919 to 1952, approximately 20 000 individuals were sterilized in California's state institutions on the basis of eugenic laws that sought to control the reproductive capacity of people labeled unfit and defective. Using data from more than 19 000 sterilization recommendations processed by state institutions over this 33-year period, we provide the most accurate estimate of living sterilization survivors. As of 2016, we estimate that as many as 831 individuals, with an average age of 87.9 years, are alive. We suggest that California emulate North Carolina and Virginia, states that maintained similar sterilization programs and recently have approved monetary compensation for victims. We discuss the societal obligation for redress of this historical injustice and recommend that California seriously consider reparations and full accountability.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Redacted Sterilization Recommendation, October 26, 1926 Note. This record was used in accordance with the institutional review board protocols of the California Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects and the University of Michigan.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Publication types