BHR Journal Article Nominated for CDC Award

 

Bronx Health REACH Project Director Charmaine Ruddock and Moria Byrne-Zaaloff, Program Manager of the CDC-sponsored COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Initiative, were two of eleven co-authors of a peer reviewed journal article that has been nominated for a CDC award. "Design and Implementation of Federal Program to Engage Community Partners to Reduce Disparities in Adult COVID-19 Immunization Uptake, United States, 2021–2022," has been nominated for the 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Charles C. Shepard Science Award. The award is given by the CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to scientists for the best original research manuscript published in a peer-reviewed journal. Congratulations Charmaine and Moria on your outstanding work!

Bronx Health REACH Awarded Two Grants

 Bronx Health REACH has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the Food for Living, Access to Systems and Supportive Strategies for Health Equity (FLASH) grant, and from the NYC Civic Engagement Commission for the project, Slashing Bronx Hunger and Boosting Knowledge About Healthy Eating. 

The 3 year NIH FLASH grant focuses on improving health and wellness for residents of the Morrisania neighborhood by: Improving the physical and food environment (starting community gardens and offering affordable local food options); enhancing the social environment (encouraging people to connect and stay active together through walking groups); and building community skills for healthier lifestyles (teaching simple, culturally relevant activities to improve health). Manna of Life Ministries, New Covenant Development Corporation and Reconciliacion Families in Christ will be our partners on this project.

For the Slashing Bronx Hunger and Boosting Knowledge About Healthy Eating project, Bronx Health REACH will focus on enhancing health and wellness in the 10452, 10456, and 10453 Bronx zip codes. To make healthy foods more accessible for residents, BHR will promote Health Bucks (paper vouchers worth $2 each to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets), and expand the Healthy Pantry Initiative by collaborating with partner food pantries to provide nutrition education and training at partner sites to encourage informed food choices. This grant runs through October 2025.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Recognize BHR Community Health Workers

Left to right: Cheikhou Oumar Ann, Felix Rojas, and Joseph Ellis. 

On Saturday, October 14, Cheikhou Oumar Ann, Felix Rojas and Joseph Ellis, Community Health Workers with the Institute for Family Health’s Bronx Health REACH (BHR), were recognized at a ceremony hosted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) for their outreach work with men in the community. The award was for their outstanding work during NYCDOHMH’s Harlem Family Wellness Suite Day for Dads’ event in June; and for their leadership of the Men, Let’s Talk initiative.

Since 2020, they have led Men, Let’s Talk, a monthly forum for Black and Latino men to engage in open and honest discussions about their mental health concerns. Cheikhou, Felix and Joseph have also served as the Community Outreach and Engagement Team for the CDC Covid and Flu initiative through which more than 12,000 vaccines have been administered to Bronx community residents. They also lead the Immigrant Health initiative, providing information to community members who are new immigrants in the Bronx, and referring those who need healthcare to the Institute’s health centers.

Maternal Health and Breastfeeding in The Bronx

 

Evelyn Alvarez from Bx Rebirth Collective was one of the panelists that spoke at our March Coalition meeting. 

Given the high rates of poor maternal health and the relatively low rates of breastfeeding in the Bronx, Bronx Health REACH's March Coalition meeting focused on the importance of maternal health and breastfeeding. Ten panelists spoke on the work being done to improve the health and wellbeing of Bronx moms and their newborns.

Reverend Que English, Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spoke about strengthening the response of faith and community-based organizations to the maternal health disparities affecting black women. Rev. English stated, "Black maternal deaths in the US are 3 to 4 times higher than for non-Hispanic white women, but with our National Faith in Action on Maternal Health guide we are educating  and providing support to communities, and addressing barriers to breastfeeding, so that every person in the US can have a safe and dignified pregnancy and birth."

Erin Guero, a board-certified lactation consultant supervisor with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that offers lactation support to breastfeeding mothers, shared an analysis of Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). The data reveals that a significant portion of mothers stop breastfeeding before they want to due to a perceived insufficient milk supply, highlighting the need for evidence-based information and support to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. "Despite the fact that 95% of mothers can establish a full milk supply, many lack the necessary support and information to continue breastfeeding successfully," says Erin.

Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguro stated that maternal health is a central focus of the Bronx Borough President's agenda, particularly given the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates in the Bronx among Black and Hispanic women. Janet shared, "The Bronx Maternal Health Consortium has been established to drive change by advocating for funding, patient education, and reducing barriers to care, including stigma around breastfeeding."

The Bronx Baby Cafe, in partnership with Bronx Health REACH, provides valuable resources and support for breastfeeding parents, both virtually and in-person.

Theresa Landau, Program Director at the Morrisania WIC and a longstanding Bronx Health REACH partner most recently with our breastfeeding initiative, has been a staunch breastfeeding advocate over the years. Theresa pointed out that breastfeeding is more than a lifestyle choice; it's a critical public health measure that can yield significant cost savings and health benefits for both babies and mothers. She noted that with the Bronx continuing to have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in New York City, the need for initiatives to normalize breastfeeding in the community is critical. Adding that, "our Baby Cafe, offered in partnership with Bronx Health REACH, provides valuable resources and support for breastfeeding parents, both virtually and in-person. Efforts are underway to ensure diversity and inclusivity in lactation support, through training a more representative group of lactation consultants."

Samantha Hunt from A Better Balance spoke about her organization's mission to help workers understand their legal rights and provide support for pregnant mothers and nursing moms at their workplace. They offer a free and confidential legal helpline and advocate for stronger workplace laws, such as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which ensures reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related needs, as well as the Pumping Breaks Act (Pump Act) that mandates a private space and protected breaks for expressing milk at work, with guidelines ensuring appropriate facilities for pumping.

Nandini Shroff, Director of Applied Research and Project Management at The Institute for Family Health (IFH) shared results from the IFH Breastfeeding Workgroup that conducted a Breastfeeding Survey and Lactation Space Assessment among IFH employees in 2019 and 2023. Some of the findings from the surveys revealed that employees were allowed adequate time to pump during work hours and employees are aware of available spaces for breastfeeding and pumping. Areas for improvement included childcare policies and lactation space amenities. The lactation space assessment revealed that more locations offered private spaces for pumping, although refrigeration capacity remains a challenge. Some recommendations from the survey include: Funding all Institute Maternal Health Advocates to attend a Certified Lactation Consultant training and a breastfeeding course for the three residency programs; Explore opportunities for additional Breastfeeding Cafes at Institute health centers and provide hospital-grade breast pumps at all Institute sites for staff to use.

Paige Pinyerd is the Lead Maternal Health Advocate for The Institute for Family Health's Perinatal Care Navigators.

Paige Pinyerd, Lead Maternal Health Advocate for Perinatal Care Navigators at The Institute for Family Health's Stevenson and Walton locations, shared how they provide support for new and expecting moms focusing on personalized care and education, by promoting breastfeeding education from pregnancy through postpartum. Paige noted that, "with our one-on-one education sessions, our aim is to empower individuals, reduce barriers to care, and create a strong support network for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with the ultimate goal of improving maternal and infant health outcomes."

Evelyn Alvarez and Nicole Jean Baptiste are doulas with Bx Rebirth Collective, whose mission is to provide continuous support to birthing individuals and promoting breastfeeding peer counseling and training within the community. Nicole discussed the benefits of Doula care, resulting in lower rates of pre-term birth, increased breastfeeding success, and decreased rates of postpartum depression.  And, Evelyn shared that, "through our partnership with Bronx Health Link, we deploy doula support at Lincoln Hospital to ensure individuals receive critical support during labor and delivery, to empower birthing individuals and improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the Bronx."

If you missed the March Bronx Health REACH Coalition meeting, visit our YouTube page to watch the videos.