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February 20, 2016
Discontinued sidewalks, poor sight lines, non-ADA compliant curb ramps, lack of bicycle facilities and speeding traffic are just some of the hazards that children can face as they try to walk or bike to school. Live Healthy Vineland, an extension of the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Vineland (NJPHK-V), the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA and the Vineland Health Department are working with the Vineland Engineering Department and Cross Country Connection TMA to identify such infrastructure flaws in the built environment surrounding Vineland schools. Pinpointing these hazards is an important step in preparing a school travel plan and applying for funding to make walking and biking safer activities. A Safe Routes to School Travel Plan identifies flaws in the existing built environment that inhibit safe bicycling and walking to and from school. Remedies are prescribed, such as the installment of traffic calming devices, construction of sidewalks and bike lanes, or the […]
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February 1, 2016
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK) is proudly participating in American Heart Month. New Jersey has the 27th highest death rate from cardiovascular disease in the country.* Certain factors play important roles in a person’s chances of developing heart disease. These risk factors include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. Some risk factors can be changed, treated, or modified, and some cannot. Many risk factors can be controlled early in life, lowering the risk of heart disease later in life. Other risk factors are passed down through family members (they are hereditary) or are the result of another illness or disease. Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 […]
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December 19, 2015
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December 14, 2015
Originally published by The City of New Brunswick by J. Bradshaw New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK), a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, presented its first “Culture of Health Champion” award, in the category of “Active Living” to the City of New Brunswick during its Building a Culture of Health in New Jersey Conference on December 2 at the Pines Manor in Edison. The award acknowledges Mayor James Cahill and the City of New Brunswick for unprecedented leadership in creating a Culture of Health for residents through innovative and forward-thinking initiatives. New Brunswick is intently focused on the wellness of its residents through many successful programs and partnerships that address the varied challenges behind fostering a healthy community. New Brunswick Ciclovia opens more than three miles of City streets to residents and visitors multiple times per year, bringing this celebration of active living and open streets directly into […]
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December 10, 2015
Originally published in The Sentinel A local pediatrician warned parents about the dangers of children facing the same diseases adults often are diagnosed with. Sandra G. Hassink, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, spoke about “Childhood Obesity from the Perspective of a Pediatrician: Social Determinants of Health and Civil Rights Pertaining to Food Access and Physical Activity” during a program at the Pines Manor in Edison on Dec. 2. “We can’t build a culture of health without raising the value of a child in our society,” Hassink said during the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids’ (NJPHK) Building a Culture of Health in New Jersey Conference. “We need to change the framework of how we think about children. As a pediatrician, I would have never thought that I would treat children with such illnesses as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, liver disease and many others that […]
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December 3, 2015
Campbell Soup Company and Kim Fortunato received the first NJPHK “Culture of Health Champion” award in the business category during the Building a Culture of Health in New Jersey Conference in December 2015. The award acknowledges Kim Fortunato and Campbell Soup Company for the Campbell Healthy Communities initiative; leading in the business sector for addressing food access, active living and equity; and investing in a city-wide healthy corner store initiative that has engaged nearly 40 stores. “Campbell Soup Company has committed to building a Culture of Health, supporting a variety of efforts designed to help make positive changes in the lives of children and families,” said Darrin Anderson, deputy director, NJPHK. “It is an honor to present this award to Kim Fortunato for her oversight of a number of efforts that are creating opportunities for healthier living in Camden and many other areas throughout New Jersey.” “We’re proud to collaborate […]
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November 12, 2015
Originally posted on nj.com By Michael Mancuso Children were invited to come out to the Greenwood Avenue Farmers Market in Trenton on Monday for an afternoon of bike safety and fun. The Back to School “Bike Event” was sponsored by Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association. “In celebration of the back-to-school season, we were thrilled to partner with GMTMA to bring this event to the community,” said Marissa Davis, project manager of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids. “Safety is an important part of healthy living; we want to make sure that children riding bikes know how to handle the bike and have the proper protection gear needed for a safe ride.” Once outfitted with a properly-sized helmet and matched to a bike suited to their size, participants took to a course set up on an asphalt parking lot where they could practicing stopping, turning, and other bike skills with help […]
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November 10, 2015
Newark Head Start programs welcomed a new class of preschoolers in September, many of whom are already facing serious health issues. Among this year’s class of students in Newark’s nine preschools, childhood obesity is the second greatest medical need. Only asthma ranks higher. Liana Rodriguez, Center Director at Early Childhood School-North at Gladys Hillman-Jones is determined to turn that statistic around by working with those who have the biggest influence on children’s eating habits—parents and guardians. Rodriguez turned to Courtney Price, project manager for New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Newark (NJPHK-N) for help in educating parents about healthy choices in meal preparation. Price and staff from the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity will present an hour-long interactive nutrition workshop on November 17 at the school. Price hopes that this session will be the first in a series to raise awareness about healthy eating. The workshop will feature food demonstrations, physical […]
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November 10, 2015
This summer 17 New Brunswick children had fun and learned valuable swim skills through the Raritan Valley YMCA. The one-week Healthy Kids Camp for children ages five to 12 taught healthy eating and physical activity concepts through various fun activities. Campers enjoyed daily swim lessons, nutrition and cooking classes, creative arts and lots of physical activity, gardening, first aid and water safety. The free program addressed a major need for New Brunswick children: increasing access to recreational facilities and programs that contribute to healthy lifestyles. The campers were referred by various social services agencies in the city and were transported to the YMCA. “Without the provision of these services most would not have access due to a lack of financial resources and transportation,” said Gina Stravic, executive director of the Raritan Valley YMCA. The YMCA has been a local and national leader in aquatics and camping for over 100 years. […]
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November 10, 2015
Nearly 27 percent (26.9%) of New Jersey residents are obese according to a recent analysis by The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. That obesity percentage places New Jersey 41st out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. New Jerseyans are in slightly better shape than residents of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York where the obesity rankings are 17th, 20th and 39th respectively. The bad news is that the obesity rate in all four states is trending upward compared to 2010. The fact that over one in four NJ residents is obese is reflected in the rate of disease associated with obesity. The study shows that New Jersey ranks 28th in rate of diabetes (9.7%) and 30th in hypertension with a rate of 31.1 percent. Lisa Scheetz, Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA is optimistic because of efforts […]
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