From left to right: Ms. Temi Boyo (NCHC Board Member), Dr. Shereef Elnahal (NJ DOH Commissioner), Newark Council President Mildred Crump Dr. Omar Bey (NCHC Board Chair), First Lady Tammy Murphy, Keri Logosso (Greater Newark Health Care Coalition Executive Director), Dr. Pamela Clarke (President and CEO NCHC), Dr. Adrienne Headley (CMO NCHC), Ms. Jillian Hudspeth (NJPCA President), Dr. Tanya Pagan Raggio-Ashley (HRSA), Ms. Shirley Smith (HRSA)
Newark Community Health Centers (NCHC) hosted its 3rd Annual Women’s Health Symposium on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. NCHC serves as a resource for the medically underserved residents of our service area and the community-at-large irrespective of patient legal status and/or ability to pay. In a holistic shift from general healthcare, NCHC places emphasis on health care services delivery which promotes overall wellness. As part of that mission, NCHC remains committed to clinical excellence and education in women’s health. The theme for the Symposium was Empty Arms, Empty Cribs: Challenges in Maternal & Infant Mortality Disparities. Through presentations and panel discussions, the Symposium addressed topics in health disparities and infant and maternal mortality.New Jersey First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy spoke at the NCHC Symposium on May 16th, furthering her commitment to the issue of maternal health. The First Lady noted that, despite New Jersey’s strong and diverse healthcare network, our state ranks 47th in maternal mortality rates. A black infant is nearly three times more likely to die than a white infant, and black mothers are five times more likely to die from maternity-related complications than white mothers. To tackle this racial disparity, we need to address the social determinants of health that have exacerbated this gap—pay equity, access to care, housing, and more—and thankfully, Governor Murphy and his administration have shown dedication to improving all women’s health from the start. From restoring $7.5 million in funding to Family Planning Clinics to removing restrictions on Long-Acting Reversible Contraception after birth, the Governor has made women a priority in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health is also rolling out their Healthy Women, Healthy Families initiative which seeks to help community-based programs improve and provide quality access to perinatal care and reduce health disparities, especially black infant mortality. These comprehensive solutions are a start in eliminating the gap, and forums like the Newark Community Health Center’s Women’s Health Symposium are necessary in breaking down the walls that have kept information from the broader community.