April is National Minority Health Month and this year’s theme is “Bridging Health Equity Across Communities.” To raise awareness and highlight New Jersey’s efforts to promote and build healthier communities, hospitals, local and county health departments, and community groups will host more than 70 events throughout the state.
The New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Minority and Multicultural Health (OMMH), along with its local partners, will be holding a series of health equity forums to encourage health and wellness, and disease prevention. Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett and Assistant Commissioner Christopher Rinn of the Division of Public Health Infrastructure, Laboratories and Emergency Preparedness will attend a Cumberland County health equity forum on April 12.
“Eliminating health disparities and addressing health equity is a key priority in keeping healthy New Jerseyans well, preventing those at risk from getting sick, and keeping those with chronic conditions from getting sicker,” Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett said. “With more than 20 percent of our population foreign-born, April offers an opportunity to work even closer with our partners to eliminate health disparities and reach underserved populations.”
A complete list of Minority Health Month events is available on the Department’s website at http://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/omh/calendar.aspx.
The month-long Minority Health celebration will include three regional health equity forums with the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association and county health departments:
- Passaic County Health Department (April 7, 2017 @ 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Passaic County Public Safety Academy
300 Oldham Road
Wayne, NJ 07470 - Cumberland County Health Department (April 12, 2017 @ 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Cumberland County College
Luciano Conference Center
3322 College Drive
Vineland, NJ 08360 - Monmouth County Health Department (April 25, 2017 @ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Monmouth University
Pozycki Hall, Room 115
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
The goal of these forums is to share data and information about each agency’s County Community Health Improvement Plan. The forums are free and open to the public and healthcare professionals. To register, call the OMMH at 609-292-6962.
“This marks the sixth year the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have graciously joined in our efforts to raise awareness of the environmental, social and economic factors that disproportionately affect underserved communities,” said Dr. M. Carolyn Daniels, executive director of the OMMH. “We encourage all residents to join us in demonstrating how we can work together to fight health inequalities.”
For more information about the OMMH, visit www.nj.gov/health/omh/.
Follow the New Jersey Department of Health on Twitter at twitter.com/NJDeptofHealth and on Facebook at facebook.com/NJDeptofHealth.
