An update on sexual and reproductive justice advocacy, news, and scholarship from the SRJ Hub at CUNY SPH.
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We are blooming with updates this May! At the SRJ Hub, our long-envisioned master's degree program in Sexual and Reproductive Justice & Health is coming to life in the classroom, guided by dedicated faculty and driven by students ready to engage in the critical work ahead. Our faculty researchers are cultivating new knowledge across a range of critical topics that sit at the intersection of health equity and reproductive justice. Meanwhile, our team has been showing up in full force advocating at the state legislature, at conferences, delivering keynotes, and being featured in a new video series.
As the season unfolds, so does our work—dive into our latest edition.
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The new research, led by CUNY SPH epidemiology alumnae Abigail Lyons and Mansi Mhatre, and faculty Heidi Jones and Suzanne McDermott, with support from the Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ) Hub, analyzed administrative and immunization records to track whether adolescents were up-to-date on the cancer-preventing vaccine.
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A study by CUNY SPH researchers suggests that telehealth remains an important and valued care option for sexual and gender minority adults, particularly for those seeking privacy, convenience, and affirming care. The study was led by doctoral grad Jeffrey Wilhite as part of his dissertation research, along with fellow alumni Alexa D’Angelo, Anna Raykov, Annabelle Abbadessa, and Maryam Roosta, and faculty Karmen Williams and Christian Grov.
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Sabrina Das, senior scholar at the SRJ Hub and CUNY SPH faculty Diana Romero recently published a letter to the editor responding to a recent article in The BMJ. The response details why the health of women, girls and communities suffer because of abortion bans and the impact these bans have on the practical, emotional and psychological working lives of the physicians who care for them.
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Ambrosia Beckford is among the inaugural cohort of students completing coursework from CUNY SPH's new MPH in Sexual and Reproductive Justice & Health program. Driven by a medical anthropology background and personal experience, Ambrosia has collaborated with faculty on reproductive health research and is taking what she's learned into the real world. Ahead of graduation, we talked about her experience in the program.
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"The SRJH classes I've taken gave me the confidence I don't think I had before to go out and do something with what I've learned. I know what I'm talking about now. I have the knowledge, and I can put it into action."
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- Ambrosia Beckford, MPH in Community Health
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CUNY SPH launched a new MPH concentration in Sexual and Reproductive Justice & Health (MPH in SRJH) and welcomed its first cohort this spring semester.
This first-of-its-kind program at a school of public health reflects CUNY SPH's commitment to advancing equity and justice in public health. The degree will prepare future leaders to re-imagine sexual and reproductive health through a justice-centered, interdisciplinary lens. We couldn’t be prouder to see the SRJ Hub’s mission taking shape in the curriculum and are excited that this spring 2026 semester welcomed the program's first cohort.
The program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2026 semester. Interested students can find more info at: cunysph.me/MPHinSRJH
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The Global 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is now a year-round initiative called #365ToEndGBV, centering grassroots organizing, bodily autonomy, and solidarity across regions. What started as a 16 day campaign running annually from November 25 to December 10, is now active year-round reflecting our fellow activists' unending commitment to the cause.
We’re excited to share a new communications toolkit, including messages, social media templates, and additional resources for activists to use throughout the campaign year.
Learn more about the campaign and access the toolkit here.
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The SRJ Hub team recently traveled to Albany to advocate for sexual and reproductive justice at the New York State Assembly Task Force on Women’s Issues.
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Danielle Green (right) & Terry McGovern (second from right) with assembly member Jessica González-Rojas (center).
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SRJ Hub staff attended the annual reproductive justice-focused Collective Power Conference, where they spoke with prospective students about the SRJH MPH concentration and connected with educators and activists from across the country.
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Sumana Chandra & Katherine Hartley at Collective Power Conference 2026.
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Professor Natalia Kanem, Distinguished Scholar at CUNY SPH recently gave a keynote at the UCL-The Lancet Group Lecture on “Futurecasting’ 21st Century Global Health: Anticipating Threats and Preparing Responses.”
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In a recent video series with the Harlem Health Initiative at CUNY SPH, Clarisa Bencomo, Project Director for Gender Justice and staff member of the SRJ Hub, discusses what is at stake for gender justice when DEI is cut and why protecting these spaces matters now more than ever.
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In this critical yet timely conversation, Terry McGovern, professor and Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs at CUNYSPH, Kemi Akinfaderin, Chief Global Advocacy Officer at Fos Feminista, and Veronica Brown, Gender and Inclusion Specialist at Women's Major Group discuss the UN80 initiative’s proposal to merge UNFPA and UN Women and assess the implications for global gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
This conversation was co-hosted by the SRJ Hub and the Center for Immigrant, Refugee and Global Health at CUNY SPH.
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WHAT'S BUZZING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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@cunysph.srjhub This #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, here's a bill you should know about:
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, just reintroduced in Congress, is the most comprehensive legislation ever drafted to address America's maternal health crisis.
• What it is: A package of 14 bills tackling every driver of maternal mortality, from housing and nutrition to mental health, workforce diversity, and data collection.
• Why it matters: Recent CDC data show maternal deaths have increased by 89% in recent years, and more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, with significant disparities for Black women. Nationally, Black women are 3-4 times more likely to die of pregnancy related causes than white women. Black women experienced a maternal mortality rate of 44.8, compared to 14.2 for White, 12.1 for Hispanic, and 18.1 for Asian women in 2024-2025, according to the CDC.
• Where it stands: It was reintroduced in March 2026 by Reps. Underwood (IL-14) & Adams (NC-12) and Sen. Booker (NJ) and endorsed by 200+ organizations, still awaiting passage.
Since 2023, over $200 million in Momnibus funding has been enacted through appropriations, but the full package of bills has yet to become law.
Share this, talk about it, and contact your representatives.
🔗 Learn more about the act at link in bio or cunysph.me/Momnibus
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With an aim to strengthen the skills and expand the networks of reproductive justice leaders across the country, the Emerging Leaders Network supports early- to mid-career reproductive justice movement leaders in the organizations or communities they serve.
This year’s cohort will prioritize applications from rural, small-town, and place-based organizers. Applications are encouraged from anyone who has 3-5 years of organizing experience within the reproductive justice movement or intersecting social justice issues, and is not currently enrolled in an undergraduate program. Apply by June 1.
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