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Tremendously Trenton Partners Speak Out on Health Disparities

 

Contacts: Mary Beth Dixon, AARP New Jersey Associate State Director                           

(609) 937-0246/mdixon@aarp.org

Maria Juega, LALDEF & TTC (609) 713-6616

Mary Jo Abbondanza, St. Francis Medical Center, Director of Marketing and PR

609-599-5282/mabbondanza@stfrancismedical.org

 

 

Tremendously Trenton Partners Speak Out on Health Care Disparities in New Jersey

 

Commissioner Heather Howard Delivers Address on FamilyCare Enrollment, Emergency Room Costs at Press Conference Today

 

 

TRENTON — Commissioner Heather Howard joined St. Francis Medical Center, AARP New Jersey, Capital Health, the Henry J. Austin Health Center, other Trenton-based health care providers, and the Tremendously Trenton Coalition partners who have organized the Trenton Community Health Fair, at a news conference today to raise awareness about health care disparities in New Jersey. The conference was held outside of the emergency room at the St. Francis Medical Center.

 

Speakers included Health Commissioner Heather Howard, Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, President and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center Jerry Jablonowski, Robert Remstein, MD and Capital Health Medical Officer, Henry J. Austin CEO Walter Issacs, Princeton University professor and chair of the Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund (LALDEF) Patricia Fernandez-Kelly and LALDEF and Tremendously Trenton Coalition member Maria Juega. The news conference was facilitated by AARP New Jersey Associate State Director and Tremendously Trenton Coalition member Mary Beth Dixon.

 

Building toward the second annual Trenton Community Health Fair on Saturday, October 17^th, the partners held the conference at St. Francis Medical Center where Commissioner Howard addressed such issues as FamilyCare enrollment and the cost of emergency room visits compared to primary care physician visits.

 

"Preserving the safety net and focusing on community engagement and partnerships are among the key recommendations made by experts to solve the increasing health disparities facing minority populations in America," said Maria Juega of the Tremendously Trenton Coalition.  "That’s is why we are thrilled to have been able to expand and bring together, for a second year, this partnership of grassroots and faith-based organizations, municipal agencies and health care providers to work cooperatively in improving health outcomes for our diverse Trenton community."

 

 

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According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the average cost of a visit to a primary care physician is $100. Yet, the June 2009 AARP Bulletin reports that the average cost of a visit to the emergency room is $1,000. 

 

“AARP is committed to keeping not only our membership, but all New Jerseyans, informed of the health care options available in the state,” said AARP Associate State Director and Tremendously Trenton Health Fair Coordinator Mary Beth Dixon. “There is disparity associated with certain communities, including the Hispanic/Latino and African-American/Black communities, and challenges that we need to overcome regarding health care access and quality. The Trenton Community Health Fair is a great way for us to highlight and contribute to this mission both socially and economically.”

 

The Trenton Community Health Fair, now an annual event, takes important and immediate steps towards health care education in addition to providing immediate health benefits. The Fair offers mandated vaccinations and physicals for children in the Trenton School District and health screenings for participants of all ages. Workshops will be held on childhood obesity, asthma, lead poisoning prevention and Medical Homes. NJ FamilyCare staff will also be on hand to sign up qualified participants.

 

Said Patricia Fernández-Kelly, Chair of the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, “To keep neighborhoods and communities healthy it is essential to provide affordable medical care to low income populations.  To do otherwise increases costs and risks for all New Jersey residents.”

 

“I am so pleased that the Tremendously Trenton Coalition, Health Fair Partners and AARP have worked together to organize this important health fair at St. Francis and Henry J. Austin to educate Trenton residents on how they can protect their health,” said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard. “Health screenings, flu shots and check-ups are critical preventive measures that can keep residents healthy.”

 

The Trenton Community Health Fair will be held on Saturday, October 17^th at St. Francis Medical Center in Crean Hall of the School of Nursing from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

 

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