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March 27, 2014
Originally published in NJ Spotlight by Andrew Kitchenman Hunterdon tops state while Cumberland is least healthy, according to RWJ Foundation, which says smart policies can improve outcomes statewide When Robert Wood Johnson Foundation officials describe their annual county health rankings, it isn’t so much the ranking that they emphasize, as what goes into the numbers. The Plainsboro-based organization wants the fifth annual statewide rankings, released yesterday, to spur local and state officials, as well as local charities and businesses, to push for improved public-health measures. The 2014 rankings found that Hunterdon County was the healthiest in the state, while Cumberland County was the least healthy. While the relative wealth of each county is a major factor in determining the outcomes, foundation officials emphasized that there are many policy changes that can help improve the health of residents of any county in the state. The foundation also stressed the importance of […]
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March 21, 2014
Originally published in the Star Ledger on nj.com by Dr. Nwando Anyaoku Progress in public health is often surprising and sometimes mysterious. A few weeks ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published the first substantial evidence that obesity rates have fallen over the past decade in children 2 to 5 years old. While the report sliced through some of the pessimism on childhood obesity, it failed to explain why the picture has improved. Some commentators credited first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, which was front and center at last week’s Partnership for a Healthier America summit. The conference united public health advocates and food companies in an effort to devise better strategies to fight childhood obesity. It was an important summit because many of America’s inner cities, which shoulder the burden of obesity, have been stymied in crafting an action plan. With the best intentions, they pour […]
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March 10, 2014
Originally published in NJBIZ Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center THE SOUTH JERSEY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION In just four years, The South Jersey Young Professionals Association (SJYPA) has raised over $200,000 to support the construction of the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, a project destined to revitalize the lives of our neighbors in Camden. With the Kroc Center set to open in the Fall of 2014, this year’s Halo Ball will cap off a five-year partnership with The Salvation Army. The SJYPA will also present The Halo Award to a young professional who has demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of the South Jersey community. Angel of the year winner Valeria Galarza, the New Jersey Partnership for Health Kids-Camden project manager. SHARE:
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March 5, 2014
Sabater Elementary School in Vineland was the site of a “Safe Routes to School” learning experience on March 5. Sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Safe Routes to School teaches children how to ride their bikes and cross streets with safety in mind. “The school cafeteria was turned into a major intersection so the third- and fourth-graders could learn how to navigate city streets and be alert to traffic signals,” explained Lisa Scheetz, project manager for New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Vineland (NJPHK-Vineland). Sabater was chosen for the first Vineland-area Safe Routes experience because more than 400 of the school’s students bike or walk to school each day. “With the passage of Complete Streets in 2011, NJPHK-Vineland and our partners are intent on making Vineland’s streets usable and safe for residents. Safe Routes to School is just one of the activities to promote safe outdoor activity,” Scheetz said. Two […]
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February 10, 2014
Originally published in Burlington County Times It’s been a season of good deeds, honors and accomplishments. In the month that includes Valentine’s Day, here are some heartwarming reports of kudos-worthy neighbors and causes.Maybe we don’t think enough about architecture, but we should not forget that it’s all around us, and is a key part of our everyday life, according to someone who clearly recognizes that. Kimberly Bunn of Moorestown, owner and principal of Bunn Architecture, is the recently installed president elect of the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ). The local organization, which was founded in 1900, is now comprised of 2000 members in six regional sections. For a total of 22 years, in two separate stints, Sister M. Elizabeth Corry served as president of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. The award established in her honor is regarded as a most prestigious one, and this […]
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February 8, 2014
Valeria Galarza, NJPHK-Camden project manager has been named Angel of the Year by the South Jersey Young Professionals Association (SJYPA). Each year, the SJYPA presents the Halo Award to one young professional who exemplifies an extraordinary commitment to the betterment of South Jersey. Galarza was honored for both her professional and charitable achievements. Through NJPHK-Camden, Galarza leads initiatives that address food issues and combat the epidemic of childhood obesity. “We are so proud of Val and the work she has done on behalf of the YMCA in Camden City,” said Tim Kerrihard, president and CEO of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties and co-director of NJPHK-Camden. “Her efforts in and around the community, both personally and professionally, are inspiring. We are lucky to have such a remarkable individual on our team.” “I am humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love alongside people who are […]
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January 23, 2014
Originally published in TheDailyJournal.com Emma Lopez, co-director of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids, was recognized as the Vineland Healthy Kids Champion during the partnership’s Building Healthy Communities Conference.She was recognized for her leadership in implementing Vineland’s first bike lanes. Lopez is a health educator who works in public health education, program planning, implementation and evaluation for the city of Vineland. She is committed to environmental policy and system change that promote wellness and healthier lifestyles for communities. Emma Lopez, co-director of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids, was recognized as the Vineland Healthy Kids Champion during the partnership’s Building Healthy Communities Conference. She was recognized for her leadership in implementing Vineland’s first bike lanes. Lopez is a health educator who works in public health education, program planning, implementation and evaluation for the city of Vineland. She is committed to environmental policy and system change that promote wellness and healthier […]
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January 22, 2014
Originally released by Advocates for Children of New Jersey Contact: Nancy Parello, (973) 643-3876, (908) 399-6031(cell), nparello@acnj.org After being nearly last in the nation for years, New Jersey jumped to 37th place for serving more children from low-income families a healthy breakfast at the start of their school day, according to a national report released today. Last year, New Jersey ranked 46th. The Food Research and Action Center said that New Jersey served 45.4 percent of low-income children for every 100 who participated in school lunch in the 2012-13 school year, compared to 41 percent the year before and 38 percent in 2010-11. New Jersey was one of only 10 states that saw a more than 5 percent increase in participation from the previous year. This achievement is the result of a growing number of schools serving breakfast in the first few minutes of the school day, instead of the […]
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January 12, 2014
Lincoln Park in Woodbine, N.J. is home to a newly installed Born Learning Trail thanks to the “person power” of dedicated volunteers who spent a November day erecting and painting a series of engaging, interactive activities that adults can use to create early learning opportunities for children. The Cape May County Health Department spearheaded the effort with funds provided by the NJPHK. Darrin Anderson, NJPHK Deputy Director, notes that “NJPHK has been providing community grants to support efforts to change environments and public policies. We were pleased to work with Kevin Thomas, Cape May County Health Officer, to revitalize a local park and at the same time promote literacy and social development through the Born Learning Trail.” The Born Learning Trail is part of United Way’s “Success by 6” Initiative, a national program focused on getting kids ready to succeed in school. By following a series of colorful shapes, signs […]
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December 9, 2013
Originally published in The Collingswood Patch Camden County Nutrition Advocate, Robin Waddell, MPH, Receives New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids Champion Award Award recognizes significant contributions in the area of childhood obesity preventionNew Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK), a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, presented its first “Healthy Kids Champion” award to Robin Waddell, MPH, of Delanco during its Building Healthy Communities Conference on December 4, 2013 at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ. The award acknowledges Robin Waddell, MPH, County Extension Department Head, Senior Program Coordinator of nutrition education program in Camden County and the Southwest Regional Supervisor for Rutgers Cooperative Extension, for her outstanding support of the organization’s mission to design and implement childhood obesity prevention strategies that support access to affordable healthy foods and increases opportunities for safe physical activity; and for her outstanding efforts in advocating the implementation of breakfast in the classroom […]
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