A recent report from the New York State Health Department shows a concerning trend: pregnancy-related deaths are significantly more common among Black and other minority women in New York. From 2018 to 2020, there were 121 total pregnancy deaths, with an overall rate of 18.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. Shockingly, the death rate for Black, non-Hispanic women was five times higher than that of white, non-Hispanic women.
The report also found that nearly 74% of these deaths could have been prevented. This disparity has prompted state officials, including Governor Hochul and Health Commissioner Doctor James McDonald, to call for action. They aim to eliminate health disparities and ensure healthy births for all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
In response to these findings, measures are being taken to address the issue. The state has created a doula directory, allocated $4.5 million to support Regional Perinatal Centers, and passed laws to improve perinatal and infant care, especially in underserved areas. These steps represent a commitment to tackling the racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality in New York.
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