State of New Jersey
Department of Health
Governor Mikie Sherrill · Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell
Maternal & Child Health Epidemiology
Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
The Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH Epi) Unit promotes the health of pregnant women, infants, and children through comprehensive surveillance systems and primary data collection efforts on maternal and child health indicators. These include health behaviors, birth outcomes, fetal and infant mortality, and maternal mortality reviews.
MCH Epi conducts complex analyses of trends in maternal and child health (MCH) data and facilitates the development of strategies to improve MCH outcomes by providing data and executing applied research projects.
MCH Epi also manages day-to-day operations for key maternal and child health initiatives and provides data-driven recommendations to inform public health policies and practices.
What We Do
- Monitor maternal and child health outcomes using real-world data
- Support public health programs through data sharing and evaluation
- Partner with local, state, and federal agencies to guide health policy
- Lead statewide surveillance efforts on maternal mortality and infant health
Key Initiatives
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
New Jersey PRAMS is a joint research project of the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information from PRAMS is used to help plan more effective health programs for New Jersey mothers and infants, as well as to inform maternal and child health policy and practice.
MORE ABOUT PRAMS
State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI)
The SSDI project aims to improve and expand New Jersey's data capacity by facilitating data exchange for linkages within the department and with other agencies. The SSDI project provides MCH data capacity support for the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant program.
MORE ABOUT SSDI
Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC)
New Jersey MMRC as governed by P.L. 2019 c.075 is tasked with annually reviewing and reporting on maternal death rates and the causes of maternal death in the State and providing recommendations to improve maternal care and reduce severe adverse outcomes related to, or associated with, pregnancy, and potentially prevent future deaths.
Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)
New Jersey FIMR is a community-based, action-oriented, multidisciplinary team that convenes to review mortality cases and identify ways to strengthen the systems of care and resources available to families to prevent future deaths.
MORE ON FIMR