Page 11 - The Indian EYE 041423

COMMUNITY OP-ED APRIL 14, 2023 | The Indian Eye 11

Making New York City

the future for women’s health

It’s no secret mental health was impacted during the pandemic.14% of women in NYC experience
depression. Rates are even higher among LGBTQ+ communities

ERIC ADAMS

very New Yorker has strong
women in their life. The wom-
Een who birthed and nurtured
them. Our mothers, sisters, aunties,
and grandmas. Our teachers, our doc-
tors, nurses, engineers, scientists. The Black and Latina women shouldn’t live with inequities that deny them access and care. And women shouldn’t have to fight for their right to
hardworking women who make life in
this city possible and inspire us. choose (Representative photo)
We owe so much to women. Yet
for generations, women’s health has cal to women’s health: chronic disease, system designed for women and of the most common health condi-
not been prioritized. For decades the birth equity, sexual and reproductive members of the LGBTQ+ communi- tions. So, we are going to expand re-
healthcare system has been centered health, and mental health. Working ty to best serve their needs. search into women’s health issues and
around men. mothers shouldn’t have to choose One in five women experience reduce disparities in medical research
This is personal for me. I am who between a paycheck or nursing their infertility. For this and many other to reduce this gap in knowledge and
I am because of a woman: my mother, newborn child. Women shouldn’t reasons, we are going to ensure the outcomes.
Dorothy Adams. And I watched my have to wait decades for an accurate city’s sexual and reproductive health This entire administration is com-
mom and my sister suffer as they nav- diagnosis. Black and Latina women care system provides comprehensive mitted to building a city that is here
igated the health system. They were shouldn’t live with inequities that care to women and girls including for all women and girls. The result of
ignored, forgotten, and struggled to deny them access and care. And wom- menopause care, infertility, birth con- last week’s summit will provide the
get the care they needed. en shouldn’t have to fight for their trol and access to abortion medication. basis for the New York City’s Wom-
Far too many New Yorkers know right to choose. Many don’t realize this, but heart en’s Health Agenda report, which will
a woman who has gone through this. Black women are nine times more disease is the leading cause of death be released this summer.
My administration is already hard likely to die of pregnancy and birth for adult women in NYC. And so many We have seen how quickly wom-
at work to change this. Last week, we related caused then white women. folks delayed critical preventive health en’s rights to healthcare can be taken
held the first ever Women’s Health And maternal mortality among Black screening during COVID. So, we are away, with last year’s Supreme Court
Summit to lay the groundwork to women increased during COVID. So, going to work to increase utilization decision to overturn Roe v Wade.
shape what the future of women’s we are going to expand access to high of preventive care and lifestyle med- Health is wealth, and women need both.
health care can be in this city. quality maternal health care, includ- icine approaches to reduce the rates We must make sure the women
We are going to make New York ing the use of doulas and midwives, to of, and deaths from, chronic diseases. who have so often taken care of us are
City the national model for supporting eliminate disparities in maternal mor- We are also going to develop getting taken care of when they need
health for women and girls, including tality and reduce mortality overall. women-friendly workplaces – and this it most. As Women’s History Month
those in our LGBTQ+ community. It’s no secret mental health was includes throughout city government ends, let’s rededicate ourselves to the
The summit brought together more impacted during the pandemic.14% - that promote health and wellness women we owe everything to. Togeth-
than 100 experts from a wide variety of women in NYC experience depres- through space accommodations and er we can make New York City the
of sectors to shape New York City’s sion. Rates are even higher among policy reforms. future for women’s health.
first ‘Women’s Health Agenda.” LGBTQ+ communities. So, we are Women are diagnosed on average Eric Adams is
It focused on four key areas criti- going to build a mental health care four years later than men across many the Mayor of New York City, NY

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