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This Saturday, a symposium on Black maternal health will take place at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Salem, one of the poorest cities in New Jersey with limited access to health infrastructure. The event aims to shed light on the challenges faced by residents in this area when it comes to healthcare services. Salem Mayor Jody Veler highlighted the lack of doctors and obstetricians in the region, making it difficult for women to receive adequate care during pregnancy and childbirth. The nearest birthing center is located half an hour away at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill in Gloucester County.
Barbara George Johnson, vice president of external affairs and urban policy at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, emphasized the importance of hosting this event in Salem. She noted that the disparities in healthcare access experienced by residents here reflect broader issues seen across rural communities throughout New Jersey and beyond. Johnson highlighted how important it is to bring attention to these issues and work towards solutions that ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare services no matter where they live.
