Researchers with the Rutgers School of Public Health found that New Jersey reduced low-risk Cesarean deliveries, bringing it closer to meeting the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ target of 23.6%.
Highlighting the importance of the Nurture NJ initiative, the Rutgers report found that, among states with high rates of unnecessary Cesarean procedures, New Jersey saw the most significant decline. Cesarean births account for nearly one-third of all deliveries in the U.S., with even higher rates among Black, non-Hispanic women. While Cesarean deliveries can be a necessary intervention, the procedure carries health risks and can have negative health impacts.
According to the new analysis, the low-risk Cesarean birth rate decreased by 10% to 27.3% from 30.2% between 2016 and 2023. Among those with Medicaid, where many Nurture NJ policies are focused, rates fell to 21.3% in 2023 from 24.8% in 2018. Despite overall improvements, however, racial disparities in low-risk Cesarean birth rates persist in New Jersey.
The findings are described in a new policy brief “Progress in Reducing the Low-Risk Cesarean Birth Rate in New Jersey: An Examination of Data from 2016–2023,” which highlights changes following New Jersey policy and programmatic efforts aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in the state. To read the full story.