New York State Urged to Intensify Efforts to Reduce Maternal Deaths

On Tuesday, August 6, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a critical audit revealing that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) must do more to address the alarming rise in maternal deaths and pregnancy-related health conditions. The audit, which scrutinized the state’s efforts since the formation of the Taskforce on Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes in 2018, found that maternal death rates have increased by up to 33% between 2018 and 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Despite the implementation of various programs aimed at reducing maternal mortality, the audit concluded that the DOH has not adequately evaluated these initiatives, leaving significant gaps in understanding their effectiveness. For instance, 78% of maternal deaths in 2018 were deemed preventable, yet the state’s response has been insufficient in reversing the trend. DiNapoli stressed the need for stronger oversight of policy initiatives to ensure all mothers, regardless of race or ethnicity, receive the highest standard of care.

The audit also highlighted disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly affecting Black women, whose severe morbidity rate in New York is 2.3 times higher than that of white women. Although the DOH has made strides in improving access to telehealth services and increasing community resources for high-risk mothers, it has not fully implemented crucial recommendations, such as promoting universal birth preparedness and creating competency-based curricula for medical providers.

The findings indicate that the DOH has yet to establish a comprehensive data warehouse to monitor and analyze perinatal outcomes by race, ethnicity, and insurance status—an essential step in addressing structural racism in maternal healthcare. Additionally, the audit criticized the DOH for not tracking whether hospitals and healthcare providers are utilizing the available resources to improve maternal health outcomes.

DiNapoli recommended that the DOH enhance its outreach efforts with birthing hospitals and other stakeholders to ensure broader participation in programs designed to reduce maternal mortalities and morbidities. The audit’s findings underscore the urgent need for a more robust and coordinated approach to maternal health in New York.