Senate Resolution No. 1681

BY: Senator BROUK

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
January 23, 2024, as Maternal Health Awareness Day
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 23, 2024, as
Maternal Health Awareness Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, This Maternal Health Awareness Day comes as New York faces
troubling maternal health rates and alarming racial disparities in
maternal health outcomes; Black women are three to four times more
likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts; and

WHEREAS, According to a report by the New York State Taskforce on
Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes, 66% of prenatal
related deaths during a two year period involved a cesarean section, and
65% of pregnancy-related deaths during the same time period occurred
within a week of the end of pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, Maternal mental health conditions are the most common
complication during pregnancy, with substance abuse and suicide being
among the top pregnancy-associated causes of death among New York
State's new moms; and

WHEREAS, Studies show that doulas-who are trained, non-clinical
professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support
to a pregnant person before, during and after childbirth-have been shown
to improve outcomes for the entire family, their care remains out of
reach for many families; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is committed to improving maternal
health outcomes for families across the state; pregnancy should be an
exciting time for a family, not a daunting, life-threatening condition;
and

WHEREAS, The objective of Maternal Health Awareness Day in the State
of New York is to raise awareness of maternal health issues in our
communities and to mobilize efforts in support of gestational parents;
the day provides an opportunity for professionals and families to engage
in discussions about what needs to be done to improve maternal
healthcare; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 23, 2024, as
Maternal Health Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.