Protecting the maternal health of the Black community

The Fund for Public Health NYC and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently held a discussion about “Protecting the Health of Black Women and Birthing People and their Babies” at the Trinity Commons of the Trinity Church Wall Street Campus. The conversation introduced the Maternal Home Collaborative Model to the audience, which aims to improve Black maternal health and reduce preventable maternal deaths through a variety of support networks and resources. Featured speakers included Dr. Chelsea Clinton, NYC First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, and Health Department leaders Dr. Michelle Morse and Dr. Leslie Hayes.

Wright began the event with a discussion about safety for Black women giving birth in New York City: “As we look at the data and we look at our own experiences, one of the things that we want to do is make NYC the safest, best place for a Black woman to have babies in the country.” 

Wright introduced Vasan, who spoke about the “unacceptable” nature of poor maternal outcomes. “When we can generate the will, the focus, and urgency, and agree…that certain outcomes are just unacceptable, then we can marshal our resources to make it happen,” Vasan said.

Vasan also discussed the importance of social and structural issues such as housing, wealth and income, and accountability to individuals from birth: “How people are treated at birth, into life, and into educational and professional environments ready to start their own family, really, really matters. These experiences matter. How we align ourselves on a common vision, a common agenda to save lives, matters. We must all agree that the status quo is unacceptable and we must marshal our resources to change it, and we can’t do it without you. It will take all of us together, across industries, agencies, communities, sharing ideas and resources to create healthier and safer pregnancies and childbirth for all.”