First Lady Tammy Murphy releases Nurture NJ blueprint outlining decade-long path for maternal, infant health
TRENTON, N.J. — First Lady Tammy Murphy on Friday announced the release of Nurture NJ: New Jersey Blueprint for Maternal and Infant Health and Path Forward for the Next Decade, a document officials described as a “living roadmap” intended to track and support the state’s efforts to improve maternal and infant health.
The report reviews accomplishments of Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative, offers guidance for other states and outlines priorities for continued cross-sector work in New Jersey, officials said. The blueprint was informed by stakeholder engagement, a Rutgers School of Public Health evaluation of Nurture NJ and coordination between the Office of the First Lady and the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, according to the announcement.
“When we started Nurture NJ eight years ago, we faced a stark reality: New Jersey, a state with world-class health systems and extraordinary providers, was failing far too many of its mothers and babies — especially Black and Brown mothers and babies,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Through Nurture NJ, we have reached into every corner of our state in our tireless pursuit of transformational change. And, while we are immensely proud of the progress we have achieved, we know much work remains. With this report, we are leaving behind a clear and detailed roadmap to maintain our momentum and realize our goal of making New Jersey the safest, most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby.”
Lisa Asare, president and CEO of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, said the work has helped draw attention to disparities and drive broader changes.
“Over this administration, the importance of maternal and infant health has been amplified, and initiatives like Nurture NJ have been instrumental in bringing disparities to light and driving systemic change,” Asare said. “We have made tremendous progress — but there is still work ahead. It will require us to activate, collaborate, and sustain our momentum. In New Jersey, we’re doing the work, building partnerships, and leading the charge to ensure every mom and baby is supported at every stage.”
Murphy launched Nurture NJ in 2019 after New Jersey faced years of poor maternal outcomes and wide racial disparities, with an stated goal of making the state “the safest, most equitable” place to deliver and raise a baby, officials said.
Since its launch, New Jersey has moved from 47th to 25th in maternal mortality rankings and from 5th to 3rd in infant mortality rankings, according to the announcement. What began as a state initiative has drawn interest beyond New Jersey, officials said.
The initiative’s efforts included the 2021 Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan and outreach events such as Family Festivals and leadership summits, which connected families with resources and helped elevate maternal and infant health as a statewide priority, officials said. The state also enacted 78 laws and resolutions over eight years and launched programs aimed at expanding access and reducing inequities, including Family Connects NJ, a universal nurse home visitation program, and Medicaid coverage for doula care, according to the announcement.
The report also outlines six “pillars” meant to guide future work: multisector leadership and community accountability; policy and partnership innovation; respectful, culturally responsive care; strengthening the perinatal workforce; expanding postpartum services; and addressing family economic and living conditions.
Officials said sustaining and expanding recent gains will require continued prioritization of maternal and infant health, along with deeper coordination among government agencies, health systems, community-based services, researchers and advocates.
