South Jersey Institute for Population Health awards $362,000 in microgrants to impactful projects
South Jersey Institute for Population Health awards $362,000 in microgrants to impactful projects
(Camden, NJ) – The South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH) has awarded $362,000 to support 10 research projects as part of its second annual grant funding cycle. These projects will have an immense impact on improving and enhancing the quality of life for residents throughout the region.
Each research team consists of partners from Rowan University, Rutgers-Camden, and a community-based organization. The program is facilitated by the institute and the Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden Joint Board of Governors.
“It is exciting to see our educational institutions working alongside community organizations to address health disparities in the region,” said Chief Executive Officer of the Rowan University / Rutgers–Camden Joint Board of Governors, Jeffrey Nash. “This research will yield new data and tools that policymakers and community stakeholders can use as they aim to improve the health and wellbeing of residents here in Camden and beyond.”
The following projects received funding:
| Filipino American Women’s Health and Mental Health Needs Assessment |
| An Evaluation of Co- and Alternative- Responding Models for those Experiencing Mental/Emotional Health Crisis in Millville |
| Developing a Culturally Congruent Survey to Study Trauma, Gun Violence, and Health among Black Men in Southern New Jersey |
| The Impact of Family Advocates and Addressing the Social Determinants of Health for Low-Income Families in South Jersey |
| Finances and Future Health – Understanding Barriers to First-Generation Student Utilization of Federal Work Study Funds: A Qualitative Research Study |
| Developing and Testing a Nurse-Led Technology-Enhanced Family Engagement Program (Nurse-TECH-Family) Among Critically Ill Patients in ICU: A Feasibility Trial |
| Camden Stormwater Heavy-Metal Analysis and Mapping Project (CASH-MAP) |
| Southern New Jersey Community Health Worker Coalition: A Demonstration Project |
| Feasibility and efficacy of lymphatic therapy in improving fluid overload in Black/African American patients with heart failure in Camden |
| Factors Influencing Asthma Self-Management and Disparities in Asthma Control among Adolescents from Low-Income Minority Families |
“We are thrilled that SJIPH has garnered more interest and collaborations among community and researchers with our second funding cycle,” said, Nicole A. Vaughn, Rowan University co-lead for SJIPH. “Building linkages between faculty at Rowan and Rutgers-Camden with the community partners has been an important step to advancing the mission of the institute through a diverse set of research projects for this cycle. For our 2nd funding cycle, we will welcome projects ranging from mental health among Filipino women to the use of federal work study funds among first generation college students to stormwater heavy metal analysis.”
While most of the research teams receive approximately $25,000 to complete their project, this year SJIPH offered a second track of funding. In the second track, established teams applied for up to $75,000 to fund larger research projects. Two teams were awarded funding through this track.
One of these projects, led by Kirsten Bertsch Ph.D. of the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, will establish a coalition of community health workers in southern New Jersey.
“The goal of the Southern New Jersey CHW Coalition is to create a standardized intake assessment and database to study chronic disease states, study social determinants of health, and identify inequities, and other needs of clients served by Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) in Atlantic County and ultimately throughout southern New Jersey,” Bertsch said. “The project will give us insight into the areas of greatest need in Atlantic County and elucidate new access points for CHW services.”
Funded research projects will begin in spring 2023 and operate on a 12-month timeline.
In addition, SJIPH is preparing to launch its third funding cycle. This funding cycle will begin with a new Request for Proposals (RFP) that opened on May 1.
The SJIPH, established in 2018 through a state grant received by the Rowan University / Rutgers – Camden Board of Governors, supports collaborative research aimed at addressing health disparities among underserved populations in both rural and urban communities in New Jersey’s southern counties.
For more information regarding SJIPH currently funded research projects and the opening of the next funding cycle, visit SJIPH.org.
