Apr 24, 2019 RWJBarnabas Health Recognizes National Minority Health Month

National Minority Health Month West Orange, NJ, April 24, 2019 – RWJBarnabas Health, the largest, most comprehensive health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people, is committed to the health and well-being of the racial and ethnic minority groups throughout our diverse state.

As part of that commitment, the system is recognizing National Minority Health Month throughout April 2019. National Minority Health Month aims to raise awareness and advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities, specifically emphasizing the role that an active lifestyle plays in overall health. Certain chronic diseases and other conditions are more common or severe among racial and ethnic minority groups, and RWJBarnabas Health recognizes its responsibility as a provider to educate and serve each of the state’s unique communities to ensure the highest quality outcomes.

RWJBarnabas Health’s Social Impact and Community Investment (SICI) Practice has published a strategic plan for 2019-2020 outlining how the system will partner with diverse stakeholders to improve the health of the communities it serves by tackling the social determinants of health through evidence-based programming and strategic systems change. Addressing a lack of exercise and nutrition is a key social determinant of focus for the SICI Practice, aligning with the “Active & Healthy” theme of observance for this year’s National Minority Health Month.

Additionally, the system recognized Black Maternal Health Week, observed during National Minority Health Month, which is intended to amplify awareness for ensuring safe, respectful care for black mothers and strengthen community-driven policy research and care solutions.

RWJBarnabas Health strives to reach and engage with New Jersey’s ethnic and minority populations on a year-round basis, seeking always to become more entrenched in our communities and build a healthier and more equitable state for all.

About RWJBarnabas Health

RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick, RWJUH Somerset in Somerville, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers (Children’s Specialized Hospital) with its multiple outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 33,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health recently announced a partnership with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration will align RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.