TOMS RIVER, NJ – A new report card issued by March of Dimes for New Jersey shows the state’s level of care for pre-term babies has fallen drastically under New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. It also shows that the Murphy agenda to deliver reproductive healthcare equity in New Jersey is not working.
It also shows that female reproductive healthcare and pre-term baby survival is much greater in red-leaning counties than it is in blue ones. Despite the political efforts and promises of Governor Phil Murphy, preterm births in New Jersey are on the rise, putting mothers and babies at risk.
The 2023 March of Dimes Report Card provides a comprehensive overview of maternal and infant health in the U.S., focusing on New Jersey. This year’s report includes several key indicators, emphasizing the need to address systemic racism and health disparities.
Overall, New Jersey received a C+ by the March of Dimes. Morris County leads the state with a 7.2% preterm birthing rate, receiving an A. The only other county to receive an A grade was Ocean County with a 7.3% rate.
Camden, Essex, Gloucester, and Passaic County all had preterm birth rates over 10%. The results show that Governor Murphy’s agenda of reproductive healthcare equity is falling short of its goals. In five counties under Democrat control, the situation has worsened since last year, according to the report.
Key Findings:
Preterm Birth Rate: New Jersey’s preterm birth rate was 9.3% in 2022, showing an increase from the previous year. This rate is slightly lower than the national average of 10.4%.
Disparities in Preterm Births: The report highlights a significant disparity in preterm birth rates, with babies born to Black birthing people having a 1.5 times higher rate compared to others.
Infant Mortality Rate: The infant mortality rate among babies born to Black birthing people is 2.4 times the state rate. Although the overall infant mortality rate in New Jersey has decreased over the last decade, 362 babies died in 2021.
Maternal Mortality and Health: The report card introduces maternal mortality as a new metric, along with leading causes of infant death and selected risk factors for preterm birth.
Socioeconomic Determinants: The vulnerability of birthing people in New Jersey to poor outcomes is largely influenced by socioeconomic factors.
Policy Recommendations: The report suggests policies like Medicaid extension and the establishment of Maternal Mortality Review Committees to achieve equity in maternal and infant health outcomes.