Trenton’s New Hub for Maternal and Infant Health Services and Research to Tackle Racial Disparities

Rutgers University has been chosen to lead a new hub for maternal and infant health services and research in Trenton. The Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center aims to enhance access to healthcare and social services for pregnant individuals and up to a year after childbirth. In addition, the center will focus on addressing racial disparities in maternal health care, as Black individuals are nearly seven times more likely than white individuals to die from maternity-related complications.

This initiative is a part of First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ strategic plan, which aims to tackle race disparities in maternal health care. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has allocated $75 million to this project, with Rutgers, Capital Health, a local health system, and Trenton Health Team, a community health nonprofit, designated as anchor tenants to lead operations at the innovation center.

Rutgers’ School of Nursing will be spearheading research into health disparities and efforts to make care more equitable. The university will collaborate with other academic institutions such as Mercer County Community College, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, and Thomas Edison State University on this important initiative. Julie Blumenfeld, the director of Rutgers’ nurse-midwifery program and clinical assistant professor in the nursing school will lead Rutgers’ efforts at the innovation center. By diversifying the perinatal workforce through training opportunities for midwives, nurses