Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Factors that contribute to these deaths include structural racism, chronic diseases, and quality of overall healthcare. Organizations throughout the city used Black Maternal Health Week earlier this year as a way to bring attention to such disparities. The Neighborhood Health Action Center in East Harlem held a series of events to educate the public about this issue.
In an interview with the AmNews at the event, Elizabeth Ramos Cartagena, Prenatal Program coordinator for the Community Healthcare Network, said that “in New York City, we are focusing a lot on maternal health. This event [is specifically focusing] on Black Maternal Health Week because we’re seeing the disparities when it comes to prenatal care and postpartum care for women of color…we’re focussing on prenatal care, resources…like perinatal depression and postpartum care…the benefits of lactation, general postpartum support…[and] identifying preeclampsia. It’s to make sure people are heard and seen, because that’s important.”
According to the Department of Health, the three Action Centers in East Harlem, Tremont, and Brownsville saw more than 137,000 visitors combined between 2016 and 2020.
“In East Harlem, infant mortality—the rate of deaths of children younger than one—is sixfold higher than on the Upper East Side,” former Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett wrote in an op-ed. “These contrasting odds persist across the lifespan. People in black and brown neighborhoods do not live as long as people in white neighborhoods. The people come and go, but neighborhood risk persists.”
Neighborhood Health Action Centers are unique in their ability to provide resources such as dental care, primary care, health workshops, classes, and programs in one location. This makes it easier for members of the community to get the coordinated resources they need in one place. According to lead author Rachel Dannefer, MPH, MIA, in a scholarly article, “Neighborhood conditions are recognized as a key driver of health disparities in the United States. Racist practices and policies, including redlining and restrictive covenants, have systematically segregated people of color into less desirable neighborhoods, restricted access to public and private investments, and negatively impacted neighborhood characteristics that affect health, including housing quality, availability of social services, and the physical environment…An interplay of such factors drives poorer health outcomes for residents of color.”
According to Shari S. Logan, assistant press secretary for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said, “Our Neighborhood Health Action Centers in East Harlem, Brownsville, and Tremont provide an option for New Yorkers to access health care, wellness classes, and social services in one convenient location. These centers are removing barriers to care and making New York City a healthier, more equitable place for all.”
Carrie Sealy, site coordinator for the Harlem Family Wellness Suite, told the AmNews co-location and the variety of services at the Centers are very important. “We have maternal yoga for pregnant moms and new moms, and they stay and do yoga, get prepared for birth or after [giving] birth, and then moms stay after class [and] have the socializing,” she said. “We call it the caregiver hour, where they stay and socialize and talk about things like being a new mom, being a mom of multiples, breast-feeding issues, and loneliness. We have a doula program that comes to do self-care classes with them.”
The centers also aim to provide services for fathers, Sealy said. “We’re trying to have activities for dads. Paternal health is maternal health, maternal health is paternal health…We give resources if they need help with food stamps, housing, insurance.”
The perspective of participant Dekya “D’Royal” Blue emphasizes the importance of the center. “I love this program,” she told the AmNews. “I love this Health Action Center…I’ve been coming here [for almost two years]. I do prenatal yoga, and some other programs that they have as well. I come as often as I can. Carrie [Sealy]…is very helpful, very informative. I appreciate this center a lot. It has a lot of resources. I tell all the ladies, all the new moms that I meet. I love it here. It’s amazing.”
To find your Neighborhood Health Action Center, visit: www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/neighborhood-health/neighborhood-health-action-centers.page or call 311.