Preconsidered Int. No.
By Council Member Ayala
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to an education campaign for the public and for non-obstetric healthcare providers on healthy living during and after pregnancy and managing chronic diseases during and after pregnancy
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.30 to read as follows:
§ 17-199.30 Public education campaign on healthy living during and after pregnancy. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Chronic disease. The term “chronic disease” means a condition that lasts 1 year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living, or both, including but not limited to, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, epilepsy, and mental health and substance use disorders.
Designated citywide languages. The term “designated citywide languages” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision a of section 23-1101.
Healthcare provider. The term “healthcare provider” means an individual duly licensed or otherwise authorized to practice a health profession pursuant to applicable law, such as physicians, registered professional nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Neighborhood health service center. The term “neighborhood health service center” means the department’s neighborhood-specific service centers, or any similar or successor programs, that aim to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes in the city through partnerships with community-based organizations.
Non-obstetric healthcare provider. The term “non-obstetric healthcare provider” means a healthcare provider who does not specialize in pregnancy or childbirth care, such as internists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, or emergency physicians.
Professional organizations. The term “professional organization” means a professional organization for healthcare providers, including, but not be limited to, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
b. The department, in partnership with professional organizations, shall develop and implement a campaign to educate the public about healthy living during and after pregnancy, as well as on managing chronic diseases during and after pregnancy. Such campaign shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
1. Guidance on healthy eating and active living during and after pregnancy, including information on food education and where to access healthy food options in the city; the importance of physical activity; resources on how to access affordable or free physical activities; information on breastfeeding and formula; information on where the public can access additional guidance on such topics; and any other relevant topics as determined by the department;
2. Guidance on how chronic diseases may impact pregnancy and after pregnancy, including information and resources on how to help mitigate the effects of such chronic diseases; and
3. Any similar guidance that the department or professional organizations deem relevant.
c. The department shall make available to the public the campaign materials created pursuant to subdivision b at the neighborhood health service centers, sexual health clinics, and any other locations the department deems relevant. The department shall make such materials available upon request to the relevant community-based organizations and shall make the materials available electronically on the department’s website. The department shall make all such materials available in all designated citywide languages. The department shall review and update such materials as appropriate.
d. Non-obstetric healthcare provider public education campaign. The department, in partnership with professional organizations, shall develop and implement a campaign to educate non-obstetric healthcare providers about the best practices for advising patients on healthy living during and after pregnancy, as well as treating patients with chronic diseases during and after pregnancy. Such campaign shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
1. Recommendations for best practices on treating and caring for patients with chronic diseases during and after pregnancy;
2. The risks and benefits associated with common treatments and medications for patients with chronic diseases during and after pregnancy;
3. Guidance on how to improve communication between healthcare providers and patients; and
4. Any similar guidance that the department or professional organizations deem relevant.
e. The department shall make available the campaign materials created pursuant to subdivision d to non-obstetric healthcare providers, practices, and clinics in the city, and maintain access to such guidance electronically on the department’s website. The department shall make such materials available in all designated citywide languages. The department shall review and update such materials as appropriate.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.