(Camden, NJ) – The South Jersey Institute for Population Health (SJIPH) has awarded 12 research projects with $350,000 as a part of its fourth annual funding cycle. These projects will have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents throughout the region.
Each research team consists of partners from Rowan University, Rutgers University – Camden, and a community-based organization. The program is facilitated by the institute and the Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden Joint Board of Governors.
“Previous research projects funded by the South Jersey Institute for Population Health have provided invaluable insight into health inequities throughout South Jersey, and this research awarded funding this cycle are no different,” said Jeffrey Nash, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rowan University and Rutgers University – Camden Joint Board of Governors. “It is our hope that the lessons learned from this research will help us to create a healthier, more equitable South Jersey.”
The projects selected will examine several underserved populations in the region and the array of health disparities that impact those communities. The following projects received funding:
- Health Information Inequity in South Jersey-Vineland
- Experiences of Patients Living with HIV Transitioning from Oral HAART to Long-Acting Injectable Medication
- Church-Led Mental Health Support: A Pilot Evaluation of GriefShare’s Impact on Coping, Grief Impairment, and Depression in Camden, New Jersey
- Salem City Healthy Food Market Project
- Nourishing Change: Assessing the Benefits of Fresh, Wholesome Meals for Homebound Seniors
- Tidewater People & Lenapehoking Water Keepers: Restoring Equitable Access to Water as a Public Health Resource: Diversity In Aquatics
- Climate Strain on Healthcare Access: A Multi-County Assessment of Healthcare Infrastructure Vulnerability in South Jersey
- Arts Prescription in a South Jersey Pain Management Clinic: Pilot Study and Impact Assessment
- Community Healing-Centered Wellness: A Holistic Approach to Restoring the Village
- ERODE Trial: Elucidating the Role of Direct Seeding of Calvarium Metastases in the Development of Brain Metastases in High-Risk Patients Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Empowering Communities Through Self-Monitoring of Blood Pressure: A Scalable Model for Hypertension Management
- Systematically addressing HPV-induced cancers in high-risk populations through integrated epidemiological modeling
“We are excited to announce the 4th cycle of institute grantees. Over the past several years, the institute has built meaningful momentum by engaging a diverse and expanding network of researchers, community-based organizations, reviewers, and facilitators who share a commitment to improving health outcomes across the region,” said Nicole A. Vaughn, PhD, Rowan University co-lead for SJIPH. “The innovative research and community-engaged projects supported through this funding targeted for rural areas will contribute to a deeper understanding of health challenges facing residents of southern New Jersey and help advance evidence-informed, locally driven public health solutions.”
Two research funding tracks were available for project teams. The Catalyst funding track offered research teams up to $25,000 to complete their project within an 18-month timeline. The Signature funding track offered established teams up to $100,000 to fund larger research projects within a 24-month timeline.
“This year’s cohort includes seven research partnerships that received our Partnership Development Awards. As part of those awards, we worked with community-based organizations to find academic partners, design community-engaged research projects, and prepare applications for our main round of funding,” said Stephen Danley, DPhil, Rutgers University-Camden co-lead for SJIPH. “The results show the importance of this type of work — this year’s cohort reaches deeper into South Jersey and increases the number of small community-based organizations to receive funding. We look forward to the impact of their projects and are excited to continue to support their work.”
This year’s funding cycle has two main goals, use research to improve health outcomes, and strengthen university-community partnerships.
“Having been a part of the SJPIH since its first funding cycle, it is amazing to see the projects funded in our 4th cycle, which is the most exciting one yet,” said Daniel Master, Director of Community Health and Impact at Virtua Health and SJIPH Sandbox Facilitator. “Each project funded in this cycle reflects the South Jersey Institute for Population Health’s steadfast commitment to investing in ideas and the people behind them that are making a real and lasting impact in reducing the impact of health disparities for all corners of South Jersey.”
Catalyst grant teams must include at least one faculty member from either Rowan University or Rutgers–Camden (or both). Signature grant teams must include faculty members from both Rowan and Rutgers–Camden. All teams must include at least one community partner.
“By prioritizing innovation and collaboration more than ever in this cycle, it is clear that the institute’s funding priorities will lead to improved health outcomes for all,” Master continued. “Whether it is through assessing the impact of changing climate patterns on emergency care utilization or studying the development of brain metastases in high-risk patients, the SJIPH is empowering the brightest thinkers and most impactful practitioners in our region with the capacity to invest in cutting edge research that will shape the future of South Jersey and beyond.”
One of the projects, led by Dr. Joseph Cipriano, Clinical Associate Professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing – Camden, will focus on the experiences of patients receiving injectable HIV therapy.
“I’m honored to receive Catalyst Grant funding from SJIPH to explore how long-acting injectable HIV therapy may improve quality of life among people living with HIV in South Jersey,” said Cipriano. “This support allows us to elevate patient voices and advance more person-centered, stigma-reducing models of care.”
The SJIPH, established in 2018 through a state grant received by the Rowan University / Rutgers – Camden Board of Governors, supports collaborative research aimed at addressing health disparities among underserved populations in both rural and urban communities in New Jersey’s southern counties.
For more information regarding SJIPH currently funded research projects and the opening of the next funding cycle, visit SJIPH.org