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TRENTON -The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
has awarded $693,460 in grant funding to seven community-based minority
health organizations to help improve the health of the state's racial
and ethnic minority populations, Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy, M.D.
announced today.
Six
agencies were each awarded $100,000 in community mobilization grants,
and one received $93,460. The agencies will use the funding to improve
health in the areas of diabetes, heart disease and stroke - areas
in which minority populations suffer higher incidence of disease
or death.
"We
must work to eliminate disparities in health and health care that
exist in our state. Our goal is to increase all New Jerseyans' access
to high-quality health care, and to help all populations achieve
and maintain good health," Commissioner Lacy said.
"Governor
James E. McGreevey is committed to this effort and has continued
the same level of funding in the State's fiscal year 2003 budget
for this grant program," he added.
Grant
recipients must conduct intensive outreach programs educating the
community on healthy behaviors to prevent chronic health problems.
The organizations will also help people identify health problems
that may need treatment or better manage health conditions they
currently have. Those who need health care will be referred to a
health center, hospital or health department.
- Operation
Healthy Heart - Concerned Pastors Economic Development Corporation,
Inc. (CPEDC), Trenton. The project, aimed at African-Americans,
will raise awareness of heart disease and stroke, risk factors,
and risk reduction measures among the 2,000 members of the 35
CPEDC churches as well as other Trenton residents. A series of
health education seminars will be conducted. Those at high risk
will be identified and taught the warning signs of heart disease/stroke.
Blood pressure screenings and individualized risk-reduction counseling
will also be provided.
- Speaking
from the Heart - HEUREKA Center for Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, Willingboro. The organization will conduct group
education sessions for 1,200 people a year at churches, clubs,
health facilities, and other gatherings in Burlington County.
HUEREKA also will provide screening and more in-depth education
for 400 African-Americans, and make necessary follow-up referrals.
This will include information on exercise, nutrition and other
steps for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Provider
conferences will also be held to encourage health care providers
and community leaders to reach out to the public regularly with
heart healthy information.
- A
Strategy to Control Diabetes Among Latinos -- FOCUS Hispanic
Center for Community Development Inc., Newark. FOCUS will provide
Diabetes Awareness Education Programs to 1,250 Latinos in the
North Ward of Newark through lectures, interactive workshops,
and other activities. Participants will receive vouchers for free
screenings to distribute to other Latinos who are at risk for
diabetes. Those diagnosed with diabetes during the screening will
join a six-week intensive education workshop that will include
culturally appropriate diets, exercise programs, and the use of
blood sugar monitors. Participants without primary care providers
will be referred for medical care and on-going services.
- East
Orange Diabetes Project - St. Matthew Neighborhood Improvement
Development Association, Inc. The association will link about
300 Essex County residents, mainly those living in Orange and
East Orange, with a comprehensive diabetes screening program.
The program will also educate 2,000 African-Americans about diabetes,
as well as educate area health care providers about the cultural
issues involved in patient care. The goal is to improve access
to health care services, educate the community about healthy lifestyle
habits -- especially diet and exercise - and to improve communication
between health providers and their patients.
- Latino
Awareness for Diabetes Intervention Network, Outreach and Screenings
- PROCEED Inc., Elizabeth. The project will conduct diabetes screening
and education services to Latino and other minority residents
of Elizabeth. One thousand minority residents will be screened.
Those with undiagnosed diabetes and hypoglycemia will be referred
for treatment and services. Finally, PROCEED will increase community
awareness on how to prevent and control diabetes.
- Project
Linking Community Organizations for Development -- Philippine
American Friendship Committee Inc, Jersey City. Working through
Asian-Pacific Islander organizations, churches, and other groups,
PAFCOM will offer blood pressure, cholesterol and weight screenings
as well as stress level assessments to about 2,700 people. Health
care professionals will develop an individualized prevention or
education plan as needed. A series of health education sessions
- including such activities as danceathons -- will increase knowledge
of the risk factors associated with heart disease and hypertension.
In addition, six training sessions will be conducted on cultural
competency for peer educators.
- Salud
Ahora! (Health Now!) - Spanish American Social and Cultural
Association, Inc. and Southern Organization United for Regional
Collaborative Empowerment, Willingboro. Salud Ahora! will provide
diabetes education services to about 2,500 Latino residents of
Vineland and Bridgeton through community meetings, churches, workshops,
and trainings. This will include screening, testing and preventive
educational workshops. Diabetes education outreach will target
2,500 Latinos, and 800 people will be screened for diabetes, including
diagnostic eye exams. In addition, diabetes education will be
provided to 200 children in grades 6 - 12, and two diabetes community
presentations will be conducted each month.
These
are the first grants to be awarded since legislation was signed
last year expanding the duties of the Office of Minority and Multicultural
Health, allowing it to make grants to community organizations and
renaming it to include multicultural health. The grants are effective
immediately and run through June 30, 2003. Grants may be renewed
for up to three years.
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