Health
Poverty can negatively impact physical and mental health, from chronic, work-limiting conditions to severe psychological distress. That's why Robin Hood funds solutions supporting lasting, healthy change in the lives of New Yorkers and their families.
By the Numbers
20
%
A fifth of adult New Yorkers experienced a health problem, defined as poor health or having a work-limiting health condition
48
%
Of all births in New York are covered by Medicaid, and 54% of babies and toddlers covered are children of color
30
th
New York State's rank in the nation for maternal mortality rate, which has been rising over the past two decades
Solutions We’re Funding
One Brooklyn Health System
One Brooklyn is the health system serving Central and Northeast Brooklyn, communities that have historically experienced systematic disinvestment in basic social supports, including chronic underinvestment in high-quality healthcare. One Brooklyn serves a predominantly minority and low-income patient population that disproportionately relies on public health insurance.
Robin Hood supports One Brooklyn’s new Maternal and Child Health Initiative, a system-wide transformation aimed at reducing racial disparities by integrating a suite of evidence-based models that enhance maternity and pediatric care for patients. Learn more about our grantees.
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Programs & Special Initiatives
In 2025, Robin Hood funded health organizations and programs expanded access to prenatal care for 300 mothers, reducing their risk of serious birth complications by 37% and helping their babies start life healthier, and provided mental health screenings and supports for nearly 2,400 mothers, and 7,200 students.
Policies we Support
Coverage
Integrating behavioral health into primary care coverage, and expanding Medicaid coverage of preventive and behavioral health services.
Affordability
Reforming New York’s medical debt and hospital financial assistance laws to protect patients from unaffordable debt and aggressive collection practices that threaten economic security.
Access
Addressing maternal and infant health disparities in New York state by increasing the pool of doulas through funding state-level advocacy to ensure that doulas receive fair payment and reimbursement for their services, particularly in communities of color.
Evidence
Robin Hood’s policy positions on this issue are informed by our funded and in-house research efforts.