Pregnancy-related deaths–defined as occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, or up to 1 year of termination of pregnancy–have significant and broad negative public health and societal impacts. Globally, maternal mortality is on the decline. However, the United States remains an outlier among high-income continues with its persistently high maternal mortality rates. This burden is amplified among women facing socioeconomic and racial inequities within the US. New York was ranked 20th in the country for pregnancy associated deaths. To shed more light on this pressing crisis and identify strategies to mitigate it, the Global Center for Implementation Science and the Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, & Public Health co-hosted a symposium on April 2nd 2025, titled Maternal Health in New York City: Improving Outcomes Across Populations. The symposium was held at the NYU School of Global Public Health (GPH) and began with an introduction from the Interim Dean of GPH and the Director of the Center for Anti-racism, Social Justice, & Public Health, Dr. Melody Goodman, and a keynote presentation from Dr. Zahirah McNatt, the Chief Equity Officer and Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW) at New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. In her remarks, Dr. McNatt highlighted the disparities in pregnancy-related deaths in NYC and actionable steps for reducing maternal mortality.
The symposium featured two panels that offered an opportunity to highlight both the health system and community facing perspectives and strategies for reducing maternal health outcomes in New York City. Panelists included Dr. Janice Ascencio, the Acting Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center; Dr. Leslie Hayes, Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Family and Child Health at the NYC DOHMH; Ms. Damalia Jackson, Program Director at CAMBA MIH Programs; Ms. Stacey Lewis, Coordinator of Doula Programs at the Caribbean Women’s Health Association; Ms. Patricia Loftman, Midwife and a Member of the NYC Maternal Mortality Review Committee; Ms. Nataly Jasso Morales, Doula Coordinator at the Community Health Center of Richmond; Ms. Re Perry, Programs Coordinator at Saving Mothers; Ms. Tasha Phifer, Founder of Postpartum Love Village & Postpartum Doula, and Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer at New York City Health + Hospitals.
The panels explored gaps in maternal care, strategies employed by their organizations, and evidence-based interventions that can be potentially scaled-up. It was emphasized that nearly 75% of pregnancy-related deaths in New York are preventable, highlighting the urgency for change. One key question echoed throughout the discussion: We know what needs to be done, so how do we do it? The data are clear, the solutions exist, yet systemic barriers continue to prevent meaningful action. Recommendations from the discussions included:
- Situating maternal health and maternal health care into a life course approach that seeks to improve the health of minoritized women before, during, and after their experiences of childbirth.
- Increasing access to maternal health care across all of New York, especially for people in underserved areas.
- The need for increased funding for maternal health initiatives.
- Strengthening connections between community organizations and health systems, including for diverse models of care and programming that can reach families and communities where they are.
- The importance of postpartum care to prevent maternal morbidity.
Over 115 guests attended representing students, researchers, and community organizations. The symposium served as a platform for representing leaders and community voices; and a critical reminder of the importance of community and health systems partnerships in public health.
