Publications

As the New Jersey State Policy Lab (NJSPL) reaches its fourth anniversary, it is my honor to serve as the Executive Director, working with an incredible team of dedicated professionals to better understand and investigate policy issues impacting the state. The NJSPL was created as the result of a grant from the Office of the Secretary […]

Perinatal depression is a significant public health issue in New Jersey and in the United States, with wide disparities by race and socioeconomic status. Evidence shows that perinatal depression adversely affects a range of children’s health and developmental outcomes and is correlated with negative health outcomes for mothers, yet little is known about potential policy […]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, people turned to search engines like Google for information. A recent study, “Language disparities in pandemic information: Autocomplete analysis of COVID-19 searches in New York” by Singh et al., highlights how these autocompletes can shape public perception and amplify health disparities. This is crucial for informing the IMPACT-NJ […]

For any community initiative or legislative effort to be successful, it is tantamount to solicit input from the those living within the area. Focus groups and community engagement are powerful tools that can help shape the development of potential initiatives. By bringing together a diverse group of individuals, professionals, and community stakeholders with varied perspectives […]

Taylor Hughes is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She serves as a research assistant with the New Jersey State Policy Lab.   The United States continues to experience a drug overdose crisis, but evidence suggests a change is happening. […]

When people think of scientists, engineers, or healthcare professionals, they likely imagine them working in labs, hospitals, or industrial buildings. Some, however, are also policymakers at all levels of government, shaping and enacting consequential policies that impact crucial sectors of our society including technology, health, finance, energy and more. As many legislative decisions are complex […]

In partnership with the New Jersey State Policy Lab and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, the Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration launched an innovative initiative to transform mental health and addiction treatment services for people involved in the justice system in New Jersey. Using the Appreciative Inquiry methodology and the SOAR framework (Strengths, […]

In today’s digital world, large language models like ChatGPT are important sources of healthcare information, particularly for those who face barriers like insurance issues or language constraints. As part of the IMPACT-NJ project, we are working to make sure that chatbot technologies are accessible to everyone in New Jersey and beyond. We recently published a […]

Taylor Hughes is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She serves as a research assistant with the New Jersey State Policy Lab.   The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the United States’ most extensive integrated healthcare system, providing care at […]

About the Survey Between October 7 and November 14, 2024, the New Jersey State Policy Lab conducted a brief survey to gain insights into emerging issues and policy priorities in New Jersey. The survey aimed to inform the Policy Lab’s strategic research planning, ensuring the organization continues to deliver rigorous, evidence-based policy research that addresses […]

There are numerous states throughout the country which have identified poor health insurance literacy as a crucial issue that impacts the physical, mental, and financial well-being of their citizens. There have been a few innovative interventions to address this issue that have been implemented, with varying degrees of success. Some have opted to address the […]

Taylor Hughes is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She serves as a research assistant with the New Jersey State Policy Lab.   Maternal mortality is a crucial indicator for assessing the quality of healthcare access and delivery for pregnant […]