New Jersey has many facets of life that WHYY News wants to cover. If you have any suggestions or topics you want us to explore, please let us know. One such topic is the symposium on Black maternal health taking place on Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Salem, one of the poorest cities in New Jersey with limited access to health infrastructure.
Salem Mayor Jody Veler highlighted the challenges faced by residents in finding adequate medical care, especially obstetricians. The nearest birthing center is located half an hour away at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill in Gloucester County. This highlights the disparities in healthcare access that exist even in rural areas like Salem, which mirror the challenges faced in many rural areas across the country.
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 the event in Salem to bring attention to these disparities and raise awareness about the need for better healthcare resources for all residents.
