Speaker Adams Tackles Maternal Health and Child Poverty in 2025 Address

During the 2025 State of the City Address held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams outlined her commitment to tackling the ongoing crises of maternal health and child poverty. Adams emphasized that these issues, which disproportionately affect marginalized communities, necessitate urgent action and collaborative efforts from government and healthcare sectors.

Speaker Adams acknowledged the critical state of maternal health, noting the alarming statistics that reveal Black women are six times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to their white counterparts. She described these deaths not as isolated incidents but as a disturbing pattern of injustice rooted in systemic inequities, including medical racism and inadequate healthcare access, particularly for low-income women of color (Source: https://youtu.be/r1aPQ_kX5PY&t=2418).

To address this medical crisis, Adams announced the formation of a maternal health steering committee, comprising various stakeholders from city, state, and federal levels, healthcare professionals, and advocates. This committee aims to formulate comprehensive, actionable solutions to improve maternal health outcomes across New York City. Through this initiative, the Council intends to create sustainable political will to combat the systemic inequalities that lead to preventable maternal deaths (Source: https://youtu.be/r1aPQ_kX5PY&t=1245).

In addressing child poverty, Adams highlighted the Council’s recent legislative initiatives, including a guaranteed income program for expectant mothers. This program, funded by an investment of $1.5 million, aims to provide direct cash assistance to families dealing with housing insecurity and economic challenges during pivotal times. The structure of the program includes an upfront stipend of $2,500 and ongoing monthly support to assist families in accessing necessary resources, such as housing and prenatal care (Source: https://youtu.be/r1aPQ_kX5PY&t=4908).

Adams’s address reflected a broader commitment to combating poverty, as she pointed out that one in four children in New York City currently lives in poverty. Strategies to alleviate child poverty include prioritizing early childhood education, increasing funding for childcare vouchers, and expanding access to affordable housing (Source: https://youtu.be/r1aPQ_kX5PY&t=5230).

The speaker reiterated the importance of holistically approaching these interconnected social issues, stressing that effective policy must address both immediate needs and the systemic barriers faced by low-income families. She urged for a collective responsibility to ensure that all families can achieve better health outcomes and financial stability, reinforcing the idea that there is no life without mothers (Source: https://youtu.be/r1aPQ_kX5PY&t=1533).

As the City Council moves forward, the focus remains on leveraging shared resources and expertise to create sustained improvements in maternal health and child poverty outcomes, making it clear that the Council is committed to advocating for the voices that have been historically marginalized in these crucial areas.