Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal continues to invest in the health of mothers and babies, and directs the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to work with providers to implement universal postpartum screenings for moms, and ensure doctors and nurses can identify signs of pregnancy-related depression more quickly, speeding up referrals to mental health professionals.
Postpartum depression affects at least one in eight mothers across the country. It not only impacts the well-being of Pennsylvania mothers, but also profoundly influences their families and communities.
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has charged his Administration with finding ways to improve the health of mothers and babies. The Administration has prioritized using data and recommendations from the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), feedback from a statewide survey, and regional listening sessions to develop a multi-agency Maternal Health Strategic Plan.
Doctors across Pennsylvania have voiced their support for Governor Shapiro’s efforts to provide universal postpartum depression screenings.
Click here to watch UPMC Magee-Womens gynecological psychiatrist Dr. David Silver, and click here to watch Penn State Health women’s health physician Dr. Christina DeAngelis, talk about the importance of universal postpartum depression screenings, or read the transcripts below.
UPMC Magee-Womens gynecological psychiatrist Dr. David Silver
UPMC Magee-Womens gynecological psychiatrist Dr. David Silver discusses the importance of universal postpartum depression screenings
TRANSCRIPT – UPMC Magee-Womens gynecological psychiatrist Dr. David Silver
“The reason why universal screening is so important is because we don't know which people are at risk.
“So, if you just select some people that you think have it, it's not going to catch the people that we need.
“It also is really important because there's a lot of stigma.
“And, if we are going to just say, ‘Well, I think that person needs it,’ and that person's going to think, ‘Well, what am I doing that makes them think I need it, right?
“And that's why we want to just make it a global thing, universal to everybody.
“This is just part of your pregnancy and postpartum care.
“Everybody gets it.
“Take the stigma out of it.”
Penn State Health women’s health physician Dr. Christina DeAngelis
Penn State Health women’s health physician Dr. Christina DeAngelis discusses the importance of universal postpartum depression screenings
TRANSCRIPT – Penn State Health women’s health physician Dr. Christina DeAngelis
“It's important because it's a common condition that affects anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of patients.
“Not only does it impact the patient's health, but there's also serious impact on the baby's health, as well as impact for society in general.
“The sooner that we can recognize that patients are experiencing depression, the sooner we can get treatment started, which not only is important for the bonding between the patient and the baby, but also important for the benefit of society and reduced health care costs.”
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