Recent Stories
June 7, 2018
It’s been 10 years since the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance kicked off Healthy U, a collaborative partnership program designed to combat childhood obesity through nutrition education, physical education and family involvement. On Friday, May 18, more than 100 Healthy U Champions and partners from the New Jersey YMCAs and schools came together to celebrate 10 years of impact during the NJ YMCA State Alliance Healthy U Spring Symposium. The Symposium was held at the MetLife Stadium and included a formal program with remarks from Jonathan R. Pearson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey,and Dr. Darrin Anderson, Executive Director NJ YMCA State Alliance. Keynote Speaker Golden Martinez, founder of GetFocused.org talked about how we can be all Hero Makers through our interactions with children. Duncan […]
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May 11, 2018
Plans are underway for the 2018 Building A Culture of Health in New Jersey Conference. The Conference will be held on Wednesday, November 28 at a new location, the Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Ave. Somerset, NJ. This year’s theme is “Thriving Communities Transform Lives.” More workshop details, as well as featured speakers, will be forthcoming over the coming months. Last year, more than 500 public health professionals, social workers, educators, dieticians, and community leaders from across the state attended the conference. The conference is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids, New Jersey Department of Health, Rutgers University Family & Community Health Sciences, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, American Academy of Pediatrics—NJ Chapter, Atlantic Health System, Family Health Initiatives, Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Inc., New Jersey Health Initiatives, New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, Partners for Health Foundation, Robert Wood […]
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May 11, 2018
During the month of April, nearly 500 New Jersey residents in Newark, Camden, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Trenton and Vineland benefited from nutrition lessons and health services at designated local corner stores—thanks to a joint effort between the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK), The Food Trust, and local partners. The events were covered by various media outlets including NJTV and News12. In addition, freeholders, legislative staff andother local officials visited the sites to observe the importance of having heart healthy options embedded in the community. The Heart Smarts program is part of the New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Initiative and brings free nutrition lessons and free health screenings (blood pressure, BMI, stroke andheart disease assessments) right to community corner stores. As part of the program, residents also received up to $4 in Heart Bucks coupons that were redeemed for heart-healthy items in the stores, as well as other incentives […]
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May 11, 2018
The decision by the Camden City Council to try out bike sharing for an four-month trial period generated a multitude of media coverage, both local and national, print and TV. The bicycle service is provided by a company called “ofo” that introduced bike sharing to San Francisco and Beijing, among many other cities. According to ofo, some of its partner cities have seen short-distance car trips (under three miles) reduced by as much as 44 percent because residents opt to hop a bike instead. All it takes is a Smartphone app—to find and unlock a bike—and $1.00 per hour for the ride. Bike Share launched officially on May 2 with representatives from Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, the City of Camden, Camden County and Get Healthy Camden assembling at Roosevelt Plaza Park. “The Camden Bike Share will be an extremely affordable, convenient, and fun way for residents and visitors to get around and see […]
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May 11, 2018
New Brunswick Ciclovia Study Tour Imparts Practical Wisdom “Start at your own pace, get it right, expand along the way.” That slogan summarizes the advice received by participants in the first-ever New Brunswick Ciclovia Study Tour, which was open to organizations and municipalities across the state curious about starting a Ciclovia, an open streets initiative in their community. Seventeen representatives gave up their Saturday to learn about important aspects of developing and implementing a Cicloiva event such as: the logistics, marketing and community and business partnerships that contribute to a successful Open Streets initiative. Mayor James Cahill kicked off the Study Tour by welcoming the participants, presenters and volunteers and explaining what Ciclovia means to the New Brunswick community by emphasizing all the partners’ commitment to promoting community health. Charles Brown of the Rutgers University- Voorhees Transportation Center closed out Saturday’s learning session by emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusiveness […]
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May 11, 2018
On Saturday, April 21st, the YMCA of Vineland participated along with other Y’s across the country in Healthy Kids Day. This year’s theme was “Awaken Summer Imagination.” Our Y wants to ensure all kids awaken their summer imaginations through healthy eating habits and physical activity. Because when a child is happy, healthy, motivated and excited something amazing is inevitably going to result. As children grow and reach their true potential, they can accomplish great things. Healthy Kids Day encourages youth and families to awaken summer imagination andthis cannot be done without proper nutrition. This year, our Healthy Kids Day event included a community art mural, STEM projects, a 30ft inflatable obstacle course, as well as, an obstacle course including basketball and soccer and swim time for parents and children. Over 25 local “healthy” vendors participated, handing out information and fun giveaways! Two local ShopRite’s participated with their Registered Dietitians and […]
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May 3, 2018
May is here, and it’s time to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition encourages people of all ages to participate in regular physical activity for its excellent health benefits. Some of the many benefits of physical activity include; improving heart and bone health, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for everyone to get more physical activity, and we’re doing so in New Jersey. Here at The New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids we’re using the month of May to raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity by encouraging our online community to participate in a #MoveInMay Photo and Video Contest on our social media pages! We want to see how you #MoveInMay – Here’s how you can get involved: 1. Get Outside…Get Active, and […]
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April 12, 2018
“Partnering for Health Equity” is this year’s national theme for the National Minority and Multicultural Health (OMMH) Month. National Minority Health Month is observed every year in April to highlight the health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minority populations and the ways in which legislation, policies and programs can help advance health equity. The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health is encouraging “partnerships at the national, state, tribal and local levels to continue the work of reducing health disparities and advancing health equity. NJPHK’s Darrin Anderson recently partnered with NJ Department of Health and participated in a panel discussion entitled, “Healthy Communities Begin with Health Equity.” The event was held on Friday, April 6 at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Panel participants also included Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Marco Navarro and NJ Health Initiative’s Diane Hagerman. Anderson provided examples of […]
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April 12, 2018
Healthy U combats childhood obesity through nutrition education, physical education and family involvement. The program partners the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey with the NJ YMCA State Alliance and its 37-member associations. Together, the grant funds three programs: The Healthy U YMCA Afterschool program, The Healthy U YMCA Early Childhood Education Program, and the Healthy U School-based Program. Healthy U uses the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum to educate and support environments for healthy eating and increased physical activity. Although Healthy U is a program to help prevent obesity, it also leads to improved academic performance and reduced illness and behavior issues. Healthy U ensures that children and families are provided with environments that encourage positive behavior toward physical activity and healthy eating. Sue Cornell, Healthy U Director for the NJYMCA State Alliance, oversees the statewide program. “What’s different about Healthy U is the focus on changing behavior […]
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April 12, 2018
Despite raising the smoking age to 21 and banning tobacco purchases to those younger than 21, New Jersey still faces a predicament when it comes to tobacco use among children and teens. Tobacco companies are doing all they can to put tobacco into the mouths of kids. They now offer mini-cigars and cigarillos at lower prices—3 for $1.00—and flavored tobacco that especially appeals to younger taste buds. Compounding the problem, retailers promote tobacco with oversized and often flashy advertising. Too often, the stores and their ads are within walking distance of schools, enticing youths to try some gummy bear, cotton candy or chocolate tobacco products. “Research shows that advertising and promotion at the point of sale increase youth and adult tobacco use, normalize and exaggerate the popularity of tobacco use, trigger impulse purchases and discourage cessation attempts,” said Kim Burns, Southern Regional Coordinator for Tobacco Free for a […]
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