According to alarming statistics from the CDC, Black women in the US face a stark reality: they are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their White counterparts. In New York City, the situation is even more dire with the mortality risk rising to nine times more likely for Black women than for White women. But why? On this episode of the Making Public Health Personal podcast, join host Laura Meoli-Ferrigon and guests Dr. Deborah Kaplan and Tonya Lewis Lee as they unpack the systemic factors contributing to these disparities and explore what can be done to address them. Dr. Deborah Kaplan brings to the discussion over four decades of expertise in public health, particularly focusing on maternal, infant, sexual, and reproductive health. As a fierce advocate for racial and gender equity in perinatal outcomes, Dr. Kaplan sheds light on the urgent need to dismantle structural barriers that perpetuate health inequities among communities of color. From her role as Assistant Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to her current endeavors at CUNY SPH, Dr. Kaplan is not just an ally but a fighter in the pursuit of reproductive justice. We discuss important issues ranging from bodily autonomy to the impact of global conflicts on women and children. Gain helpful insights on how to think globally and act locally in our pursuit of maternal health, reproductive rights, and justice. We are also joined by the multi-talented Tonya Lewis Lee, an award-winning filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur. Tonya shares insights from her groundbreaking documentary, AFTERSHOCK, which confronts the US maternal mortality crisis. Through powerful storytelling, this film underscores the importance of amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for systemic change. From discussing the history of reproductive justice to emphasizing the importance of recognizing pregnant people, not just women, Tonya inspires us to utilize our own unique talents to create change. Episode links: Find out more and connect with Deborah Levine on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-l-kaplan-19842b169/ Find out more and connect with Tonya Lewis Lee on Facebook and Instagram: @TonyaLewisLee Watch Aftershock (film) now on Hulu or visit https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com View the trailer for Aftershock here: https://youtu.be/k63RC0rJEd8 Sexual and Reproductive Justice hub at CUNY SPH: https://sph.cuny.edu/research/srj-hub/ Black mamas matter: https://blackmamasmatter.org/ Let’s talk about sex conference: https://www.letstalkaboutsexconference.com/ Sistersong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective: https://www.sistersong.net/ NYC Abortion Access hub: Call 877-NYC-AHUB (877-692-2482) https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/ms/abortion-hub-info.pdf Pregnancy Justice: https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/ National Postpartum Awareness Week Info: https://www.speakmovechange.net/ Info about voting for reproductive rights in NY (2024): https://ballotpedia.org/2023_and_2024_abortion-related_ballot_measures ARIAH foundation: https://www.theariahfoundation.org/ Our bodies ourselves (book): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Bodies,_Ourselves Eyes on the prize (documentary film): https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/eyesontheprize/ Download a transcript of this episode for accessibility: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cme6ukyyd1jre5e5ilwkp/Episode-25-transcript.docx?rlkey=isc6v3y18pd52hrkgplnbdzah&st=7pt32dq3&dl=0

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on marginalized communities facing public health challenges?

This episode of the Making Public Health Personal podcast delves into effective strategies for addressing health issues both locally and globally and explores the unexpected parallels that can drive meaningful change.

Join host Laura Meoli-Ferrigon as she welcomes two distinguished guests: Dr. Philip Kreniske, assistant professor of Community Health and Social Sciences at CUNY SPH and adjunct assistant professor in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, and Dr. Nicholas Freudenberg, Distinguished Professor of Public Health at CUNY SPH and the faculty director of Healthy CUNY.

Dr. Kreniske discusses his experience using implementation science to study adolescent health in the US and Sub-Saharan Africa. He highlights the research findings and policy implications designed to tackle socioeconomic and racial disparities, which are key contributors to the elevated rates of HIV and mental health symptoms among adolescents. Listeners will gain valuable insights into tailoring public health communication strategies for adolescent care, and discover innovative approaches and technology uses proven to prevent youth HIV and related issues.

Next, Laura shifts the conversation and discusses local challenges and solutions with Dr. Freudenberg. Learn about the innovative CUNY CARES program, which offers vital services such as healthcare, mental health support, and essentials like food and housing to CUNY students. Dr. Freudenberg explores the evidence-based strategies that make CUNY CARES effective, ways you can support this significant effort, and how students in need can access these crucial resources. Listen in as the conversation navigates the complexities of health equity and discover actionable insights to make a meaningful difference in marginalized communities, both locally and globally.

Episode Links:

Find out more and contact Dr. Kreniske: https://sph.cuny.edu/about/people/faculty/philip-kreniske/

Find out more and contact Dr. Freudenberg:

https://sph.cuny.edu/about/people/faculty/nicholas-freudenberg/

CUNY Cares: https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/transformation/cuny-cares/

Download a transcript of this episode for accessibility: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/10xmd11nyzd2vt0vgm68i/Epiode-24-Transcript.docx?rlkey=k2bbvlx98uhv6hhz39ojs8b45&dl=0

This women’s history month special episode of the Making Public Health Personal podcast breaks down the pressing issues surrounding maternal, child, reproductive, and sexual health in the United States. Host Laura Meoli-Ferrigon speaks with three esteemed guests to delve into the unique curriculum offered at CUNY SPH that addresses these crucial areas in sexual and reproductive justice.

• Terry McGovern: Senior Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at CUNY SPH. Previously, the Harriet and Robert H. Heilbrunn Professor and chair of the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

• Sarah Pickering: Doctoral candidate in the Community Health and Health Policy (CHSS) program at CUNY SPH with a specialization in Maternal, Child, Reproductive and Sexual Health.

• Diana Romero: Director of the Maternal, Child, Reproductive and Sexual Health specialization and CHSS Professor.

Together we’ll unveil the exciting new additions to our sexual and reproductive justice hub at CUNY SPH, including the prestigious Byllye Avery Endowed Professorship in Sexual and Reproductive Justice. Learn about the ongoing research aimed at safeguarding reproductive rights across the nation. Join us as we uncover ways that you can actively contribute to the preservation of reproductive rights and enact meaningful change.

Episode links:

Organizations to support reproductive justice:

https://allaboveall.org/

https://urge.org/

https://www.sistersong.net/

https://abortionfunds.org/find-a-fund/

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/abortion-access

Learn more and connect with today’s guests:

https://sph.cuny.edu/about/people/faculty/terry-mcgovern/

https://sph.cuny.edu/about/people/faculty/diana-romero/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-pickering-mph-1893a441

Download a transcript of this episode for accessibility: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hdfieu7lv4f1gw6m1w84z/Ep23-transcript.docx?rlkey=1oby681lro6c6jug92nmai390&dl=0