The Impact of Environmental Deficiencies on Maternal Health Outcomes

This study examines the environmental factors contributing to adverse maternal health outcomes in New Jersey, with particular focus on their disproportionate impact on minority women. Analysis of data from PubMed, Policy Map, NIH, CDC, EPA, and the New Jersey Department of Health reveals that women living in low-income areas face significant environmental challenges, including food deserts, air pollution, unsafe living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and limited transportation options. These environmental determinants exacerbate maternal stress and contribute to complications such as preterm birth and hypertension. Black women are nearly three times more vulnerable to these adverse outcomes compared to white women, highlighting systemic inequalities in community resources and healthcare access. While this research provides valuable insights into the relationship between environmental factors and maternal health disparities in New Jersey, limitations include insufficient data quality for Southern New Jersey and research gaps that fail to align with local stakeholders' perspectives. Understanding these environmental determinants is crucial for addressing the consistently rising maternal mortality rates in the United States compared to other developed nations.