Our Work
Maternal and Infant Health
The Institute staff participates in a workgroup established by Black women legislators to address the state’s maternal and infant mortality disparities. The Institute staff was able to provide guidance on many of the bills in the 2019 legislative package that Governor Murphy passed to provide resources to help stem the increasing incidences of infant and maternal deaths in the state. Barbara George Johnson sits on the First Lady’s taskforce and continues to provide expertise on the issue of Black maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
In March 2022, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) identified the Watson Institute to undertake an iterative community engagement process. This process is designed to build trust and support from Trenton residents and organizational stakeholders, as well as understand the services needed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for Trenton’s new and expectant mothers and children. The Watson Institute Team will include Kean Faculty, students and staff as well as faculty and students from Stockton University in a collaborative effort to collect and analyze data.