News

America’s Health Centers: Rooted in Communities

As part of National Health Center Week (NHCW), the New Jersey Department of Health is celebrating the care community health centers provide with 2.1 million visits annually, for nearly 570,000 patients around the state in more than 100 locations.

To commemorate National Health Center Week, Department staff will be attending events throughout the week to emphasize the importance of health centers. Assistant Commissioner Nashon Hornsby, and Managing Director for the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health Denise Anderson will attend the New Jersey Primary Care Association’s kick-off event at Project H.O.P.E in Camden on August 5.  There are more than 50 events scheduled for NHCW at health centers across the state.  Events will include free medical and dental screenings, health information sessions, giveaways, and food and entertainment for families.

Deputy Commissioner Deborah Hartel will also join Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill at Zufall Health Center in Morristown for a tour and cooking class on August 5.

“Community health centers deliver affordable, quality patient care to the state’s residents with the most need,” Acting Health Commissioner Marcela Ospina Maziarz said. “This week we recognize the hard work our health centers put into improving health outcomes across the state.”

Governor Phil Murphy proclaimed August 4 through 10 Health Center Week in New Jersey to recognize the achievements of health centers in delivering accessible, cost-effective and quality services to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.

Community health centers provide primary care, dental and behavioral health care, and supportive services such as case management and transportation to those without insurance and to people who face barriers to health care because of geographic, language, cultural and financial obstacles. 

New Jersey has 24 community health centers and 121 licensed service delivery sites that ensure access to health care and provide a health care safety net for residents.

Last year, the Department provided more than $35 million to support the licensed community health centers in their delivery of care to uninsured and underinsured residents.

Nearly 85 percent of the patients served are uninsured or publicly insured.

Visit the Department's website to find a community health center location and services.