13 Faith Based Organizations Recognized for Completing Healthy Children, Healthy Families Program

 

Faith based partners were recognized for completing the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program at an event in February.

Right before the Pandemic struck and we all were required to stop meeting in person, 33 people representing 13 faith based organizations gathered at Pentecostal Temple of the Living God to recognize the impact of the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program, on the children, families and faith based organizations that participated in the program in 2019. The organizations honored include: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Christian Community Neighborhood Church Inc., Creston Avenue Baptist Church, Water of Life-Mission Pentecostal Rehoboth, King of Glory Tabernacle, Williams Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Pentecostal Temple of the Living God, Fellowship Baptist Church and St. Augustine Our Lady of Victory Church. Members from Grand Concourse Seventh Day Adventist, Church of God-Soundview, Bronx Spanish Evangelical Church and New Life Rehoboth Church were unable to attend, but also completed the program in 2019.    

Bronx Health REACH Director, Charmaine Ruddock, welcomed the group by mentioning how important the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program is to the Bronx, as the Bronx is currently ranked 62 out of 62, the least healthy county in New York state based on the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. She pointed out that by participating in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program, the families were making strides towards a healthy life and would be part of improving the overall health of the Bronx.

Naiomie Michelle from King of Glory Tabernacle stated that the children from her church had so much fun in the workshops, they would invite their neighborhood friends to participate as well.  "This program helped to build community and had a huge impact not only on teaching the children about healthy eating, but making the connection between each workshop lesson and the spiritual values that are so meaningful to myself and the participants," she said. The Healthy Children, Healthy Families program ended this summer. 537 adults and children participated in the program.

Facemasks Distributed to Bronx Faith Based Organizations

 

Over 5,000+ masks were distributed to Bronx Health REACH faith based partners.

Over 5,000+ facemasks were distributed to over twenty houses of worship in the Bronx after some of our faith based partners expressed an urgent need for personal protection equipment (PPE) at our June Coalition meeting. We would like to thank Trinity Church Wall Street and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for donating the facemasks. Also, thank you to Council Member Fernando Cabrera's office for donating hand sanitizer and thermometers to various Bronx churches.

#Not62 Steering Committee Hosts “A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in The Bronx”

 

Dr. Jane Bedell was one of four panelists who spoke at the webinar, 

“A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx.”

On July 29th, the #Not62 Steering Committee, of which Bronx Health REACH and the Institute for Family Health are founding members, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. hosted, “A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx.” This virtual panel discussion featured former NYC Department of Health and Mental Health Commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot; Dr. Jane Bedell who was the Medical Director of The Bronx Neighborhood Health Action Center and the Assistant Commissioner of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Dr. Lessie Branch from Metropolitan College and Dr. Denise Nunez from SOMOS Community Care Network.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. was the moderator of the event, introducing panelists and asking questions about the work being done to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Oxiris Barbot spoke briefly about a COVID-19 mobile testing site in the Bronx. It was set up in Tremont where NYCDOHMH knew that not many people were getting tested, and the ones that were getting tested were testing positive for COVID-19. They were hoping to use this data in other parts of the Bronx so more people could be tested.

Dr. Bedell's presentation, "Building a Healthier Bronx," began with data about the Bronx: population, breakdown of age, race, number of parks, libraries, etc. "The policies and practices of yesterday are determining the health outcomes of today. COVID-19 is a case study of how past practices and current inequities converge in an emergency. The Bronx has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths." To improve the health of Bronx residents Dr. Bedell advised that we all get out and vote and complete the 2020 Census so the Bronx gets more federal money to support much needed services.

Dr. Lessie Branch spoke about defining systemic racism and how it makes people sick. She highlighted how COVID-19 disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities in the Bronx. "COVID-19 has made policy violence leveled against Black and Brown communities visible in the same way that smart phone cameras and police body cameras have made the disproportionate police violence against Black and Brown communities visible." Dr. Branch also noted the importance of everyone completing the census. "For every individual that is uncounted in the census, New York will lose $2,687 in federally funded programs."

Dr. Denise Nunez is a pediatrician for the SOMOS Community Care Network in the Bronx. She spoke about the importance of educating younger children to take control of your health. "We teach the younger children how to eat healthy. And by doing that, the children are also educating their families about the importance of having regular wellness visits with a doctor."

Panelists fielded questions for the remainder of the webinar and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. wrapped up the webinar by advising everyone to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19. "Practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer, wash your hands, and be sure to wear your mask anytime you leave your house. We do not want a second wave of COVID-19."

Click here to view "A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx.

Racism and Our Families’ Health: Connecting the Dots Webinar Held in June

 

Milta Vega Cardona gave a presentation, "Health Disparities as Symptoms of Structural Racism."

In the summer, members of the Bronx Health REACH Faith Based workgroup hosted a two part webinar, "Racism and Our Families' Health: Connecting the Dots." The two part webinar featured experts on undoing racism and advancing health equity. The goals of the webinar were to create  awareness of the role of racism in health outcomes, facilitate a community conversation on race and racism, and provide resources for those wanting to address racism and health inequities.

Speakers for the first session included: Charmaine Ruddock, BHR Project Director, Pastor John Udo-Okon, from Word of Life International, Dr. Uche Blackstock, Founder/CEO of Advancing Health Equity, and Milta Vega Cardona from The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond.

Charmaine provided a background on how Bronx Health REACH was formed, our mission and the history of the Bronx Health REACH Coalition. She also spoke about #Not62 - The Campaign for a Healthy Bronx! Pastor John Udo-Okon not only provided information on the important work that his church, Word of Life International is doing by feeding the community, but his experience being a Black man in America. "When I arrived in the U.S. years ago I visited a store in Dallas. The staff would follow me around the store. I asked my wife, 'Why is the staff doing this?' She said the staff was following me because I was a Black man. She spoke to them and told them we are not here to steal, and asked them to stop following us. That experience made me realize that being Black [in America] is a liability, and the racism we face every day is a challenge."

Dr. Uché Blackstock's presentation provided background on the social determinants of health, and the impact on people of color. "Inequities exist because of differences in the quality of care, access to healthcare, and differences in opportunities. Policies, economic systems, and social hierarchies impact health outcomes." She also made the connection between the devastation that COVID-19 has brought upon Black and Latino communities. "Housing segregation and income inequality have led to overcrowding and increased transmission of COVID-19, and the pandemic has unveiled underlying inequities that contribute to racial and ethnic health disparities." Dr. Blackstock offered some short-term strategies to overcome COVID-19 such as targeted testing, contact tracing and hazard pay and personal protection equipment for essential workers.

Milta Vega Cardona from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond made a presentation, "Health Disparities as Symptoms of Structural Racism" focusing on the root causes of health disparities. Milta provided key facts on health and health care by race and ethnicity. She also asked, "If health disparities are a symptom, what is the underlying cause?" She covered topics such as implicit or cognitive bias, structural and social racism. "Many of these inequities are man-made situations. If we created them, we can undo them," said Milta.

Speaking at the second session was Immaculada Moronta from Bronx Health REACH, Badr Fuad from the United States Census, Adolfo Abreu and Shen'naque Sean Butler from the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, and Milta Vega Cardona from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Immaculada spoke about the significance and influence faith based organizations have, not only on their members, but on the community as well. "Houses of worship serve as a powerful medium for social, economic and political change. They continue to be key players in improving the health and well-being of their members and the community that have been historically underserved."

Badr Fuad spoke about the importance of completing your census form. "Responding to the census is important to ensure an accurate count of community members, so that adequate funding can be brought into communities. If people do not respond to the Census, we will not have the funding we deserve for another ten years. We want to make sure all are counted in the 2020 census so we have funding for better schools, hospitals and many other services that we are currently missing in the Bronx."

Adolfo Abreu and Shen'naque Sean Butler gave an overview of the work the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) has been doing. "NWBCCC advocates for safe, affordable and energy efficient housing, healthy communities with green space, high-quality public schools, community-led economic development, living wages, green jobs, and immigrant rights. We provide Social Determinants of Health training, where community members learn the roles and responsibilities of the health system, communities, and governments in addressing the social determinants of health, and identify local resources to address these challenges," says Adodlfo.

Milta Vega Cardona from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond continued from the previous session with her presentation, "Race/Racism, Implicit Bias: the Road Towards Structural Racism." In this presentation Milta spoke about the types of racism, the dynamics of implicit bias and the principles for doing anti-racist work. "Everyone has implicit bias which needs to be overcome to address systemic racism. It is automatic, involuntarily activated, and below our consciousness. Anti-racism entails knowing and sharing history and culture, using a common language, practicing accountability, developing leadership, understanding the manifestations of our socialization, and valuing our humanity and the humanity of others."

You can view Part I  and Part II  of the webinar.