Closing the Gap: Addressing Maternal Health Inequities in the United States

Dr. Leslie Kantor ’89 BC

Chair and Professor, Dept. of Urban-Global Public Health
Rutgers University

In the U.S., Black women face a troubling reality: they are three times more likely to suffer from pregnancy-related deaths compared to white women. This is a serious issue, especially since most of these deaths are preventable.

Join us for a special discussion on maternal health inequalities with Dr. Leslie M. Kantor. She leads the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at Rutgers and is a prominent figure in public health.

Click here to RSVP!

After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the Zoom presentation.

Dr. Kantor is not only a respected academic but also an advocate for maternal health. She is leading New Jersey’s Nurture New Jersey initiative, which aims to make the state a safer and more equitable place for childbirth. Her focus is on closing the gap in maternal health outcomes for Black women.

Dr. Kantor’s passion for public health began during her time at Barnard. She initiated the first peer-led health program there, focusing on HIV/AIDS education. After Barnard, she earned a Master of Public Health from Columbia and a Doctorate in Social Policy and Administration.

Before joining Rutgers, she held key positions at Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Her work included advocating for evidence-based sex education and improving services for maternal health globally.

Throughout her career, Dr. Kantor has received numerous accolades for her contributions to public health, including the 2023 Rutgers College Class of 1962 Presidential Public Service Award and the 2018 Millicent Carey McIntosh Award from Barnard.

This event is hosted by the Barnard in Washington club.