The New York State Department of Health (DOH) must enhance its strategies to reduce maternal deaths, particularly among Black women, according to a report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Despite initiatives like the 2018 Taskforce on Maternal Mortality, maternal health outcomes have stagnated, with Black women dying at over four times the rate of white women in childbirth.
The audit highlights the DOH’s incomplete implementation of recommendations aimed at improving maternal health, such as developing a comprehensive data warehouse to monitor outcomes. Though the DOH has made strides in certain areas, like investing $14 million in community health collaboratives, gaps remain in addressing racial disparities and severe maternal morbidities.
To combat these issues, DiNapoli recommends the DOH evaluate program effectiveness, improve outreach with hospitals, and develop a strategy to monitor severe morbidities. DOH officials agree with the audit’s recommendations and have outlined steps to implement them, aiming to provide equitable healthcare access for all New York mothers.
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