Eliminating Health Disparities

Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)

Led by the Institute, the Bronx Health REACH Coalition is one of 40 communities funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s REACH US program to address health disparities in key health areas. The coalition includes over 70 community-based organizations, health care providers, faith-based institutions, housing and social service agencies, and a public interest law firm. Since 2000, the coalition has served as a model of community empowerment that demonstrates how to build healthier communities by:

• promoting healthy life-style behaviors
• increasing awareness of racial and ethnic disparities in health care delivery
• advocating for policy, environmental, and systems changes

For more information visit www.BronxHealthReach.org.

Harlem Outreach Programs

The Institute’s Community Outreach Department, located at its Family Health Center at North General, operates several health promotion programs for residents of Central and East Harlem. Our outreach staff conduct screenings to identify people with pre-diabetes; train local community members to serve as peer leaders to conduct diabetes self-management programs and weight-loss health education workshops; and collaborate with food retail businesses in the community to raise awareness around the issue of portion control and healthier eating habits, and to promote their commitment to the well-being of the community.

The Community Outreach Department also trains community residents to work alongside academic partners from Mt. Sinai Medical Center in the development and application of community-based participatory research in the areas of diabetes and stroke.