New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute Receives $550,000 from United Health Foundation to Support “Healthy Communities Create Healthy Citizen” Project
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Project supports five community organizations and their
affiliates’ efforts to enhance essential community health services
TRENTON, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute (NJHCQI) was awarded a $550,000
partnership grant from United Health Foundation to support its “Healthy
Communities Create Healthy Citizens” project.
The project is a public-private partnership among local health care and
community leaders who are working to improve people’s health and quality
of life in Trenton, Jersey City and Cumberland County, N.J. The United
Health Foundation grant will help raise awareness for five organizations
and their affiliates participating in the project. NJHCQI project
partners in Jersey City are the Jersey City Department of Health and the
Jersey City Medical Center. In Cumberland County, NJHCQI partners with
the Cumberland County Health Department and Inspira Health Network. The
Trenton Health Team is NJHCQI’s project partner in Trenton.
United Health Foundation’s support will enable NJHCQI to help local
organizations expand innovative healthy-lifestyle and health-literacy
programs. In Cumberland County, the grant will support a “healthy
corner-store” initiative, through which local store-owners will be
incented to sell fresh produce and display healthier foods at the front
of the store. In Trenton, the grant will support a number of health
topic seminars at local food pantries and churches, where residents can
“shop” at the food pantry, eat a healthy free lunch, learn about
diabetes prevention and chronic disease self-management, participate in
fitness-related giveaways and receive helpful reading materials.
Residents in all three areas will have access to an online search engine
that connects them to health resources and social services in their town.
“With United Health Foundation’s generous support and partnership, we
are able to expand our work with the mayors and community leaders in
Trenton, Jersey City and Cumberland County to make a powerful difference
in our neighbors’ lives,” said Linda Schwimmer, president and CEO of
NJHCQI. “This initiative addresses some of the biggest barriers to
health care our neighbors face by improving access to healthy foods,
creating safe spaces to relax and exercise, and supporting other
essential community services.”
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, one of the organizations supported by the
Trenton Health Team, offers free healthy lunches on Fridays, sponsors a
food pantry every other Saturday, hosts a monthly farmer’s market during
the summer and serves as an emergency shelter.
Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson and Bishop William Stokes of Trinity
Episcopal Cathedral joined United Health Foundation in announcing the
partnership grant to NJHCQI during a tour of the cathedral grounds.
“This partnership with United Health Foundation and NJHCQI will help
community leaders and dedicated health providers in Trenton offer
residents even more services and safe spaces where people in need can go
to feed their bodies and souls,” said Jackson.
“United Health Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to help NJHCQI
expand its services and ensure that people in need have access to vital
health and well-being services that help build healthy communities,”
said Paul Marden, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New Jersey.
“The ‘Healthy Communities Create Healthy Citizens’ project will create a
community that fosters healthy behaviors, supports health education and
helps people get the appropriate medical care at the right time,” said
Senator Shirley Turner (D-Legislative District 15). “I commend the
United Health Foundation and the New Jersey Health Care Quality
Institute for their work and investment in this project.”
About New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute
The
New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute is the only independent,
nonpartisan, multi-stakeholder advocate for health care quality in New
Jersey. The Quality Institute’s mission is to undertake projects and
promote system changes that ensure that quality, safety, accountability
and cost-containment are closely linked to the delivery of health care
services in New Jersey. The Quality Institute partnered with the NJ
League of Municipalities to create the Mayors Wellness Campaign, a
program that empowers mayors across NJ with tools, strategies, and
support to champion health and wellness in their communities.
About United Health Foundation
Through
collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts,
United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a
diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local
communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth
Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation
dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health
Foundation has committed more than $285 million to programs and
communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org
or follow @UHGGives on Twitter or Facebook.com/UHGGives.
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Contacts
UnitedHealthcare
Mary McElrath-Jones, 914-552-4671
mary_r_mcelrath-jones@uhc.com
or
New
Jersey Health Care Quality Institute
Carol Ann Campbell,
973-567-1901
cacampbell@njhcqi.org
