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.comView 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.pdfPregnancy 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_measuresARIAH foundation: https://www.theariahfoundation.org/Our bodies ourselves (book): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Bodies,_OurselvesEyes 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