First Lady Tammy Murphy today issued a statement in response to a newly-published academic study revealing significant racial disparities in delivery methods and C-sections between Black mothers and white mothers in New Jersey. The study analyzed nearly one million births across 68 hospitals in the state from 2008 to 2017.
"I am deeply grateful for this research which confirms exactly what we found when we first came to Trenton in 2018: horrific maternal mortality rates alongside persistent racial disparities dictating outcomes," Murphy stated. "Over the last six plus years, we have made tremendous progress in our efforts to improve New Jersey’s maternal and infant health outcomes through Nurture NJ."
Murphy highlighted several initiatives undertaken, including ending Medicaid reimbursement of early elective C-sections, expanding Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum, ensuring Medicaid coverage for doula care, establishing the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, mandating implicit bias training, among others.
"The findings in this study are wholly unacceptable and deeply disturbing," Murphy continued. "We have long known that Black mothers are more likely to undergo unscheduled C-sections compared to white mothers, but this study confirms the historical, large-scale statistical racial disparities in delivery methods, without a correlation to medical risk."
Murphy emphasized the importance of the research for developing new initiatives aimed at addressing these disparities. "Racial biases and financial incentives should never drive medical decision-making," she asserted.
She also pointed out that unnecessary C-sections pose higher risks for long-term medical complications for women. "The availability of this data is critical to setting an accurate benchmark through which we can evaluate our efforts from the start of the administration and achieving our goal to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable state to deliver and raise a baby."
Murphy concluded by expressing her commitment to continuing efforts with Nurture NJ partners: "Together with thousands of Nurture NJ partners, I look forward to continuing this important work to ensure all mothers and babies can benefit from a healthy start, regardless of race."
