Garden State Times

The South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH) has awarded over $349,000 to 13 research projects as part of its third annual funding cycle. These projects aim to enhance the quality of life for residents across the region.

Each research team comprises 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.

“The South Jersey Institute for Population Health continues to be a model for institutional collaboration and community engagement in the region,” said Jeffrey Nash, president of the Rowan University / Rutgers – Camden Board of Governors. “There is a wealth of expertise and experience that sits with the faculty and staff at Rowan University, Rutgers University – Camden, and our community partners. We look forward to learning from this research as we continue working towards our shared vision of a healthy and more equitable South Jersey.”

The selected projects will examine several underserved populations in the region and address various health disparities impacting those communities. Funded projects include:

- Reading and Writing the World for Healthier Communities: A Publicly Engaged Project at Mighty Writers Camden

- Machine Learning-based Predictive Analysis to Understand Public Health Risk from Heavy Metal Exposure in Camden

- Community-Partnered Integrated Care (CPIC) for Preventing Perinatal Depression and Anxiety

- Creating a Culture of Wellness for Bancroft Organization: Supporting Wellness in Group Homes through Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

- Research Investigation on Factors Impacting Colorectal Screening Rates for Communities of Color in Rural Cumberland and Salem Counties

- Exploring Relationships Between Criminal Justice System Contact and Health Among Camden Residents: A Pilot Study

- Learning to Eat Like Grandma: A Pilot Study Addressing Metabolic Syndrome, Diet Quality, Food Insecurity, and Nutrition Literacy among Older Adults in Multigenerational Households

- Exploring Social Determinants' Role in Arterial Stiffness and Sleep Quality among Low-Income Hispanic Adults

- Understanding Camden’s Mental Health Needs

- Smart Parents And Resourceful Kids Sharing Stroke Awareness (SPARKS) Program in Camden

- The Association between Age and Breast Cancer: Are Young Women in New Jersey at Risk?

- Supporting Effective Food Security Screening Protocols in NJ Health Centers

- Rowan-Virtua SOM/Rutgers-Camden Migrant Health Initiative

“SJIPH research projects over the past 3 years have been valuable to understanding more about our region and its health disparities,” said Nicole A. Vaughn, Rowan University co-lead for SJIPH. “We are excited that this 3rd cycle of research projects includes interventions to address preventing perinatal depression and anxiety, mental health needs in Camden, and migrant health in South Jersey farms.”

Two tracks were available for project teams. The first track offered approximately $25,000 per project while established teams could apply for up to $75,000 for larger initiatives. Funded research began in April 2024 with an updated timeline of 18 months.

“Bottom-up solutions require funding and support," said Stephen Danley, Rutgers University-Camden co-lead for SJIPH. "For a third time, SJIPH convened potential community organizations and academic researchers then funded community-university research partnerships to produce bottom-up solutions to public health disparities in South Jersey."

One notable project led by Dr. Nils Brolis from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine focuses on migrant health in rural South Jersey.

“The SJIPH has created the perfect environment for research collaboration to flourish in South Jersey,” Broli said. “Through their partnership network, mentorship, and grant funding, they offer small ideas–like our Migrant Health Initiative project–the chance to become something larger and enduring.”

Established in 2018 through a state grant received by the Rowan University / Rutgers – Camden Board of Governors, SJIPH supports collaborative research aimed at addressing health disparities among underserved populations in both rural and urban communities within New Jersey’s southern counties.

For more information regarding currently funded SJIPH research projects or details about the next funding cycle opening soon, visit SJIPH.org.