June 2025: Progress in Reducing the Low-Risk Cesarean Birth Rate in New Jersey: An Examination of Data from 2016–2023 | Rutgers School of Public Health

• While Cesarean births can be medically necessary, the procedure has significant health risks. Thus, as part of the Nurture NJ initiative, New Jersey implemented several policies aimed at reducing the number of Cesareans performed without a clear medical need.

• While the rate of low-risk Cesarean births was relatively high in 2016 compared to other states, New Jersey had the largest reduction in low-risk Cesarean birth rates of any state between 2016 and 2023, decreasing by 10 percent from 30.2 percent to 27.3 percent.

• Low risk Cesarean rates remained highest for individuals with private insurance, declining 28.9 percent in 2018 to 27.1 percent in 2023, though the trend over time was not statistically significant. Among those with Medicaid, where many Nurture NJ policies are focused, rates fell significantly from 24.8 percent in 2018 to 21.3 percent in 2023.

• Despite overall improvements, racial disparities in low-risk Cesarean birth rates persist in New Jersey. Black and Asian women experience rates 20-22% higher than those of white women.