New York City Council
Committee on Women and Gender Equity
Feb 14, 2024
·
10:00 AM
1 hr 38 min
Summary
A hearing on disparities in women's health, focusing on care inequities, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. Features testimonies from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Farah Louis on Addressing Disparities in Women's Health
Council Member Farah Louis opens the joint oversight hearing on Women And Gender Equity and Health, focusing on disparities in women's health care. She highlights the prevalence of gender biases …
0:01:14
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3 min
Council Member Lynn Schulman Highlights the Importance of Women's Heart Health
Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health, opens her remarks by underscoring the significance of discussing heart health, especially on Valentine's Day. Schulman emphasizes the need to …
0:05:02
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3 min
Testimony: Dr. Michelle Morse, Chief Medical Officer at the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness Testifies on Women's Health Inequities in NYC
Dr. Michelle Morse, Chief Medical Officer at the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness, testifies on the systemic policies and practices causing health inequities in women's health in NYC. …
0:09:54
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17 min
Council Member Louis Inquires About DOH's Collaboration with State Department of Health
Council Member Farah Louis asks how the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene collaborates with the New York State Department of Health to address disparities and inequities in women's health …
0:26:54
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54 sec
Council Member Louis Asks DOHMH About Factors Behind Women's Health Disparities
Council Member Farah Louis inquires into the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) perspective on factors contributing to disparities in women's health care, specifically breast cancer. The response outlines …
0:27:48
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123 sec
Council Member Louis Inquires About Programs for Women's Health and Disabilities
Council Member Farah Louis inquires about additional programs offered by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) for women's health, emphasizing the need to include women with disabilities. The …
0:29:51
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55 sec
Council Member Louis Questions DOHMH on Women Forward NYC Health Focuses
Council Member Farah Louis asks DOHMH about the selection process for health issues under the Women Ford and Wacey Agenda. The response highlights the use of health outcomes and surveillance …
0:30:47
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135 sec
Council Member Louis Inquires About Programs Highlighting BIPOC Women's Health Equity
Council Member Farah Louis questions the initiatives specifically designed to address disparities in health outcomes for BIPOC women, with a particular focus on Black women. The discussion includes the 'centering …
0:33:03
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124 sec
Council Member Louis Questions DOHMH on Updates for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Education and Maternal Mortality Reporting
Council Member Farah Louis inquires about the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's progress on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) education and the annual maternal mortality and morbidity report. Despite a …
0:35:07
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74 sec
Council Member Louis Inquires About DOH Partnerships in Maternal Health Initiatives
Council Member Farah Louis inquires about collaborations and community involvement in maternal health initiatives, focusing on Brooklyn's efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Dr. Michelle Morse discusses the Brooklyn Borough Equity …
0:36:21
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122 sec
Council Member Schulman Inquires About Progress on the Diabetes Plan
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the status of the diabetes plan, mandated by a recently passed bill, expected in spring. A representative responds, indicating active development and collaboration with …
0:38:29
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32 sec
Council Member Schulman Inquires on Mobile Mammography Van Outreach
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the scheduling and outreach methods of the mobile mammography van, focusing on how it reaches communities with the highest rates of breast cancer mortality. …
0:39:02
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101 sec
Council Member Schulman Shares Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis Story
Council Member Lynn Schulman shares a personal story about her breast cancer diagnosis during COVID-19, highlighting the challenges faced by women who lost their jobs during the pandemic and missed …
0:40:43
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50 sec
Council Member Schulman Inquires About Colon Cancer Screenings with Dr. Morse
Council Member Lynn Schulman questions Dr. Michelle Morse about colon cancer screening initiatives, focusing on accessible methods like stool tests and patient navigator programs, especially for communities of color. Schulman …
0:41:33
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5 min
Council Member Schulman Discusses Women's Heart Health Initiatives with DOH
Council Member Lynn Schulman addresses women's heart health, questioning the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) about the city's efforts to ensure access to heart-healthy practices and quality medical …
0:47:11
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163 sec
Council Member Schulman and Dr. Morse Discuss Race and Health Calculators
Council Member Lynn Schulman questions Dr. Michelle Morse about the exclusion of race and ethnicity in health risk calculators, specifically concerning heart age. Dr. Morse elaborates on the nuanced debate …
0:49:55
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138 sec
Council Member Schulman Advocates for Accessibility of New Injectable Medications
Council Member Lynn Schulman talks about the potential of injectable medications for cholesterol and high blood pressure, underlining their benefits for women's health and cost-effectiveness. She suggests exploring ways to …
0:52:13
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68 sec
Council Member Menin Inquires Dr. Morse on Navigation for Abnormal Mammograms
Council Member Julie Menin asks Dr. Michelle Morse about post-screening procedures for women with abnormal mammograms found by the mobile mammography van. Dr. Morse details the role of navigators in …
0:53:21
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162 sec
Council Member Menin Asks About Genetic Mutation Testing for Women
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about the city's strategies for testing women for genetic mutations related to cancers, highlighting her personal connection to the subject. Dr. Michelle Morse acknowledges the …
0:56:03
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111 sec
Council Member Gutierrez Raises Concerns About Midwife and Doula Contract Renewals
Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez questions the commitment to midwives and doulas in light of contract renewal issues and program inconsistencies within hospitals. Gutierrez stresses the contradiction in claiming to value …
0:57:55
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3 min
Council Member De La Rosa Asks About Life Expectancy for Women of Color
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa inquires about life expectancy trends for women of color, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. Dr. Michelle Morse presents data from the …
1:01:06
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169 sec
Council Member Marmorato Asks Dr. Morse About Breast Imaging Crisis
Council Member Marmorato addresses the current breast imaging crisis, asking Dr. Michelle Morse for updates on initiatives to increase mammography capacity. Dr. Morse acknowledges the lack of specific initiatives but …
1:03:55
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100 sec
Council Member Marmorato Inquires About Follow-Up Processes for Mobile Mammography Vans
Council Member Marmorato questions Dr. Michelle Morse on the follow-up procedures for patients screened by mobile mammography vans, emphasizing the importance of maintaining contact with clinical patients. Dr. Morse acknowledges …
1:05:35
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48 sec
Council Member Schulman Asks DOH about Care for LGBTQ Individuals
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about measures by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to counter discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in healthcare. Dr. Michelle Morse highlights the updated …
1:06:24
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153 sec
Council Member Schulman Explores Legislation for Biomarker and Genetic Testing Coverage
Council Member Lynn Schulman revisits Council Member Julie Menin's prior comments on genetic testing, seeking clarification on its relation to biomarker testing, and addresses the lack of insurance coverage for …
1:08:59
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52 sec
Council Member Louis Questions Dr. Morse on Asthma Support and Air Quality Efforts
Council Member Farah Louis inquires Dr. Michelle Morse about support for children with asthma through the office of School Health and citywide air quality improvement efforts. Dr. Morse explains the …
1:09:51
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125 sec
Council Member Louis Questions Dr. Morse on Alzheimer's Outreach to Older Women
Council Member Farah Louis inquires Dr. Michelle Morse about collaborations with the Department for the Aging to ensure older women have access to current Alzheimer's disease information and risks. Dr. …
1:11:57
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45 sec
Testimony: Dorea Kyra Batté, Attorney at Legal Momentum, on Discrimination in Drug Testing of Pregnant Women
Dorea Kyra Batté, an attorney at Legal Momentum, testifies about the discriminatory practices in non-consensual drug testing of pregnant patients, especially impacting low-income families and those of color. She highlights …
1:14:37
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3 min
Testimony: Chris Norwood, Executive Director of Health People, on Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disparities Among Women
Chris Norwood, Executive Director of Health People, reveals disparities in diabetes and Alzheimer's contributing to poor health in women, particularly affecting Black women. He critiques government oversight and highlights the …
1:17:49
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3 min
Testimony: Christopher Leon Johnson on Food Deserts and Health Disparities
Christopher Leon Johnson highlights the issue of food deserts and their impact on health disparities in impoverished districts, emphasizing the need for healthier food options. He criticizes the allocation of …
1:20:52
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4 min
Testimony: Elise Panusa, Government Relations Manager at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, on Reproductive Health Services Post-Roe v. Wade
Elise Panusa, representing Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, testifies about the challenges faced by patients seeking reproductive health services post-Roe v. Wade. With 26 states imposing severe abortion restrictions, …
1:26:39
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3 min
Testimony: Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs at Urban Resource Institute on Domestic Violence
Lauren Schuster, Vice President of Government Affairs at Urban Resource Institute, testifies about the severe impact of domestic violence, particularly on women, in NYC. Highlighting the disproportionate effects on Black …
1:29:57
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3 min
Testimony: Rosemary Martinez, Domestic Work Organizer at Caroll Gardens Association, on Empowering Domestic Workers
Rosemary Martinez, representing Carroll Gardens Association and the NYC Coalition for Domestic Work, testifies to request support for the Domestic Worker and Employer Empowerment Initiative for fiscal year 2025. She …
1:33:04
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138 sec
Testimony: Yesenia Mata, Executive Director of La Colmena, on Empowering Immigrant Women Workers
Isenia Mata, Executive Director of La Colmena, testifies on the organization's pivotal role in empowering immigrant women workers on Staten Island. Through education, culture, organizing, and economic development, Lacomina focuses …
1:35:53
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109 sec