PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
May 11, 2018

Shereef Elnahal
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

DOH Commemorates National Women’s Health Week

TRENTON – As part of the Department of Health’s efforts to commemorate National Women’s Health Week, top DOH leadership next week will highlight the Murphy Administration’s efforts to improve women’s health outcomes in the state.

Kicking off on Mother’s Day and running through May 19, the 19th annual National Women’s Health Week, led by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, encourages women to take steps to improve their health and serves as a reminder for women to make their health a priority and build positive health habits for life.

"National Women’s Health Week allows us to shine a light on important health concerns, including the health of women and mothers before, during, and after childbirth. New Jersey currently ranks 47th among the 50 states in maternal death. Specifically, black mothers are five times more likely to die from maternity-related complications than white mothers. We must, and will, continue to address the need for greater access to quality healthcare and services for all of New Jersey’s expectant mothers,” First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy said.

Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal will join the First Lady at the Third Annual Women’s Health Symposium on May 16 at the Newark Community Health Center. The Commissioner’s remarks will focus on the Department efforts to reduce disparities in maternal and black infant mortality.

“New Jersey must do better for its women and children,” Commissioner Elnahal said. “The disparities in maternal and infant health are shocking in a state with such wealth and health care expertise. “As the father of a newborn whose diverse leadership team includes women with young children, reducing disparities in maternal and black infant mortality is foremost on the Department’s agenda,” Commissioner Elnahal said. 

The infant mortality rate for black infants is more than three times that of white infants.

Although the state has been funding initiatives aimed at improving the health of women and children, the state has not made progress in reducing maternal and infant disparities.  Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department conducted an analysis of the causes of these inequities and held focus groups among community health workers who serve vulnerable populations.

With that research, the Department created a new, five-year initiative called Healthy Women-Healthy Families, aimed at increasing healthy births and decreasing black infant mortality in communities with the highest rates. Up to 12 grantees will be funded statewide.  Grantees will be expected to target counties and/or the following high-need municipalities: Atlantic City, Camden, Trenton, East Orange, Irvington, Jersey City, Newark and Paterson.

“In addition to this targeted funding, one of Governor Murphy’s first acts was restoring $7.5 million in funding to Family Planning Clinics,” said Elnahal.  “Thanks to his action, we are already seeing substantial increases in access to these critical screening and healthcare services.”

On May 17, the Department’s Deputy Commissioner for Integrated Health Services, Deborah Hartel, will be a featured speaker at the New Jersey Primary Care Association’s Legislative Women’s Health and Policy Luncheon, entitled, “We the People,” at the Masonic Temple in Trenton.

Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter @njdeptofhealth, Facebook /njdeptofhealth, Instagram @njdeptofhealth and Snapchat @njdoh.

Last Reviewed: 5/11/2018