Source: RLS Media
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a facility under the RWJBarnabas Health umbrella, has been awarded a substantial $5 million grant to launch the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program within the city of Newark.
This five-year initiative is dedicated to improving health outcomes, preventing chronic diseases, and reducing health disparities among Black, African American, Hispanic, and Latinx communities facing the highest rates of chronic disease in Newark. The program’s reach will also extend to Essex, Union, Hudson, Middlesex, and Ocean counties over the course of the next five years.
Darrell K. Terry, Sr., president and EDO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Over the years, we have created many programs and outreach initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare and improving health outcomes for the many communities that we serve. The REACH Program will greatly enhance our efforts and allow us to continue to address healthcare disparities in a meaningful way.”
Barbara Mintz, Senior Vice President of Social Impact and Community Investment at RWJBarnabas Health, highlighted the significance of the REACH funding, saying, “This REACH funding will allow us to expand our community health education programs, establish new connections, and strengthen existing relationships with community members and partners to innovate and achieve our mission of creating healthy communities, together.”
As one of 41 REACH program recipients, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health will implement a range of proven public health strategies, including promoting food access and nutrition guidelines, expanding fruit and vegetable voucher incentive programs, producing medically tailored meal programs for individuals with chronic health conditions, and extending the reach of Newark Beth Israel’s nationally recognized KidsFit Nutrition education program to more schools in New Jersey.
With this funding, organizations will plan and carry out local, culturally appropriate programs to address a wide range of health issues among racial and ethnic minority groups where health gaps remain. REACH intends to improve health where people live, learn, work, and play.”