Overview
The demand for information that can help individuals make more informed decisions about the various factors that affect their health will only increase as nutritional, clinical, and socio-economic options multiply. Providing support for informed choice is not straightforward, however; because time and resources are always limited, the Partnership for a Healthier Jersey City advocates for support initiatives that empower individuals to be proactive and self-advocate for better health services.Health Education is at the forefront of the effort to empower individuals to make informed decisions about health.
A significant portion of Jersey City’s population, however, is not well educated on how to access and best utilize health care services. Many of the factors that create health disparities are present in our community: low educational attainment, language barriers, and low socioeconomic status are among the most widespread. Yet even the most well educated, wealthy individuals have trouble understanding complicated medical concepts and the system through which expenses are reimbursed by insurance companies. It is often the uncertainty of cost that deters individuals from meeting appointments with primary care physicians and specialists.
The challenges of navigating health services can be a challenge for anyone, but they are especially complicated for those with heart disease, diabetes, asthma and other chronic illnesses that require adherence to a complex daily regimen, dietary restrictions, and regular monitoring of health indicators such as blood pressure and respiratory rate. The good news is that numerous studies have documented that through improved self-management of chronic disease processes, patients can improve quality of life and clinical outcomes. The Partnership for a Healthier JC will focus much of its attention on chronic illnesses on the five leading causes of death in our community: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke.
Action Steps & Success Indicators by 2019
Action Step 1
Health literacy and self-advocacy of residents will be improved through print materials, group-based workshops at senior homes and child care centers, and access to online toolkits through the PHJC website.
Success indicator
NJCU’s Health Sciences Dept, in conjunction with JCDHSS, will create new health insurance literacy materials for print and website use. PHJC website will feature links to online informational toolkits.
Action Step 2
Residents will better understand the social determinants of health and where to access information that will allow them to make more informed decisions on nutrition, physical activity, and clinical care.
Success indicator
Residents will better understand the social determinants of health and where to access information that will allow them to make more informed decisions on nutrition, physical activity, and clinical care.
Action Step 3
All residents will have access to a free, incentivized program to help them self-manage chronic health conditions.
Success indicator
All residents will have access to a free, incentivized program to help them self-manage chronic health conditions.
Action Step 4
A holistic approach to helping reduce the severity of chronic illnesses, with special emphasis on regular visits to primary care physicians, proper nutrition and increased physical activity.
Success indicator
A holistic approach to helping reduce the severity of chronic illnesses, with special emphasis on regular visits to primary care physicians, proper nutrition and increased physical activity.