City Council passes maternal health ‘bill of rights’ and other measures to address disparities in maternal mortality

Councilmember Althea Stevens, one of the sponsors of the maternal health legislation, spoke at a press conference ahead of the vote Thursday. To her right are Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and activist Shawnee Benton Gibson.

Black New Yorkers are eight times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white New Yorkers and nearly three times as likely to suffer from severe pregnancy complications. [ more › ]