History: Monmouth County Has Highest Maternal Death Rate in US (1931)

The 18 Sep 1931 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 1, pg 2 col 3) reported on the annual meeting of the Matawan Public Health Association. This was the association's 7th year of service to the community. A report was delivered, telling of accomplishments and goals. The report noted the need for additional work with pregnant mothers, as statistics revealed that Monmouth County had the highest maternal death rate of any county in the United States at the time.

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"During the past year visits to pre-natal patients were increased 28 per cent. We realize that this is one of the weakest points in our generalized nursing program, and that there is great need for increased service since, according to statistics, Monmouth County has the highest maternal death rate of any county in the United States. We hope, therefore, to be able to develop the service to a much greater extent during the next year."

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This high death rate may have prompted local and/or county health authorities to open the Maternal Health Clinic in Asbury Park in 1935.