The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (an RWJBarnabas Health facility) a $5 million grant to implement its Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program in Newark and five other counties over a five-year period, according to New Jersey Business Magazine. The program aims to reduce health disparities among Latino and Black communities.

Latino adults are less likely than other Americans to have health insurance and to receive preventive care, according to the Pew Research Center. Such disparities have been linked to cultural and language barriers. The Center found that about 44% of Latinos think language or cultural differences make it difficult to navigate the health care system.

“Over the years, we have created many programs and outreach initiatives aimed at improving access to health care and improving health outcomes for the many communities that we serve. The REACH program will greatly enhance our efforts and allow us to continue to address health care disparities in a meaningful way,” said Darrell Terry Sr., MPH, president and CEO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.

As one of 41 REACH recipients, Newark Beth Israel will work with other state and local partners and organizations to address community health needs, expand resources and reduce health disparities.

The program seeks to implement strategies to promote food access and nutrition guidelines; expand fruit and vegetable voucher incentive programs; develop medically tailored meal programs for people living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension; and expand educational programs for children in New Jersey schools.

“This REACH funding will allow us to expand our community health education programs, establish new connections and strengthen existing relationships with community members and partners to innovate and achieve our mission of creating healthy communities together,” said Barbara Mintz, RDN, senior vice president of social impact and community investment at RWJBarnabas Health.

To read more, click #Health Equity. There, you’ll find headlines such as “$3M Grant to Reduce Diabetes in Latino Community,” “Black and Latino People Have Higher Risk of Death After Surgery” and “NIH Launches Community-Led Research Program to Advance Health Equity.”