New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids Among First to Receive Department of Health Population Hero Award

July 5, 2017 | Community News, Community News and Media

Award recognizes leadership and commitment in creating changes that surround families with opportunities to make healthy choices

The New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK) was recently presented with one of the first Department of Health Population Hero Award in the category of Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration.

Presented on June 7th during the Department of Health’s annual Population Health Summit at Rider University attended by more than 350 public health professionals, the award acknowledges NJPHK’s leadership and collaboration in improving health through leadership and innovation.

“Shifting the healthcare system’s focus to wellness and collaborating with communities to build healthier environments that promote wellness are cornerstones of the Department’s work,” said Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett. “Inspiring initiatives to improve Population Health are ongoing in every region of our state, and it’s important that we shine a spotlight on this incredible work not only to honor our awardees but to encourage others.”

“NJPHK has collaborated with community partners across the state to help build a Culture of Health and create healthy communities for children and families,” said Dr. Darrin Anderson, Deputy Director of NJPHK. “It is an honor to receive this award in recognition of the positive impact we have made in the lives of some many New Jerseyans.”

Over the past five years, NJPHK and its community partners have made significant strides in implementing more than 200 environmental and policy changes to increase access to physical activity and healthy eating. These changes include: assisting with the development of school wellness policies, renovating playgrounds, installing bike lanes, partnering with more than 160 local corner stores to include healthier product offerings and launching healthy farmer’s markets in combination with health screenings.

 

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