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Email NJ-PRAMS@doh.nj.gov for more information.

New Jersey's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)

New Jersey's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)

The New Jersey Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It collects data directly from new mothers to better understand their experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy.

Information from PRAMS is used to help plan better health programs for New Jersey mothers and infants and impact maternal and child health policy and practice.

 

How PRAMS Works

Each month, about 1 in every 50 women who recently gave birth in New Jersey is randomly selected to participate in the PRAMS survey. More than 30,000 New Jersey mothers were included between 2002-2023 with an average response rate of 69%.

Participants answer questions about their health, behaviors, and experiences related to pregnancy and the postpartum period.

 

Key Topics Covered:

  • Prenatal care and health insurance
  • Breastfeeding and infant feeding practices
  • Maternal smoking and alcohol use
  • Mental health and postpartum depression
  • Cesarean delivery
  • Safe sleep practices
  • Access to home visiting services
  • Pregnancy intention
  • Opioid use (beginning in 2023

 

New Jersey PRAMS Questionnaires

 

PRAMS Reports and Publications

The PRAMS team conducts comprehensive trend and statistical analyses to produce valuable data products, such as Topic Reports and Data Briefs. These products are designed to provide critical insights that inform data-driven policies and research initiatives to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey. They raise awareness and educate the public about key health indicators, such as breastfeeding, and potentially promote the adoption of those behaviors.

 

Topic Reports

 

Data Briefs

Each data brief provides a detailed analysis based on PRAMS survey data, focusing on a specific public health issue. These briefs are developed from a data-driven perspective to give policymakers and public health professionals a clear understanding of the current situation concerning the identified health concerns and behaviors in New Jersey. Each brief includes an "Agenda for Action" and links to resources across New Jersey.

 

Explore PRAMS Data on NJSHAD

Use the NJ State Health Assessment Data (NJSHAD) platform to create custom tables, graphs, and charts using NJ PRAMS data.

Launch PRAMS dataset query on NJSHAD. 

 

Postpartum Assessment of Health Survey (PAHS)

PAHS is a follow-up study to PRAMS that explores health outcomes in the first year after childbirth. It's a collaboration between Columbia University and several state and city health departments, including NJDOH.

PAHS collects data on:

  • Physical and mental health
  • Health care access and use
  • Social determinants of health
  • Support systems and quality of life

This study fills critical gaps in postpartum health data and informs local and national strategies to support families after birth.

PAHS Fact Sheets