Rutgers Health researchers have assessed not only the direct effects of Nurture NJ – the statewide initiative launched in 2019 by First Lady Tammy Murphy to improve maternal and infant health and reduce racial disparities in health outcomes – but the indirect effects as well.
According to the researchers, direct effects stem from policies and programs, indirect effects emerge from shifts in awareness, collaboration and engagement across sectors. These changes can influence how organizations work together, whose voices are heard, and how quickly progress is made. As part of the evaluation of Nurture NJ, members of the Rutgers School of Public Health conducted an analysis to explore these broader, indirect effects and detail findings in their new report, “Ripple Effects: Exploring the Indirect Influence of Nurture NJ.”
The researchers found that Nurture NJ significantly has shaped the maternal and infant health landscape in New Jersey, extending its impact beyond direct policy and programmatic efforts. Insights gathered from researchers through interviews with leaders from community organizations, health systems, advocacy groups, and funders highlight how Nurture NJ has generated momentum for change while validating and amplifying existing efforts to improve maternal and infant health. To read the full story.