The Caring Hearts Initiative is being introduced in Camden County, through a partnership between Modivcare, a technology-enabled health care services company, and the American College of Cardiology. This initiative aims to bring essential supportive care services to communities with significant health disparities.
Caring Hearts is a grassroots, community-driven initiative designed to leverage the resources of national organizations like ACC and Modivcare, local community partners and community corner store owners. Its goal is to deliver health and nutrition resources to underserved communities, addressing health disparities through strategic partnership and innovative programs.
Camden County ranks No. 1 on the New Jersey Economic Development Authority‘s Food Desert Relief Act Map and is one of several locations participating in this multicity program.
Key activities in Camden County include:
- Placement of health stations: These conveniently located health stations offer community members the opportunity to screen themselves for hypertension, obesity and diabetes risks, facilitating awareness and educational outreach.
- Connecting people to resources: On-the-ground efforts will connect residents to food insecurity resources, including financial incentives provided by the Food Trust to community members and to corner store owners to stock fresh produce and vegetables.
- Educational materials: Materials distributed through health stations increase knowledge of risk factors for heart disease and other conditions. Additionally, individuals gain access to information on heart health from CardioSmart, ACC’s patient engagement program.
- Coalition of partners: This collaborative effort involving Modivcare, ACC, the Food Trust and local store owners serves to deliver health and nutrition resources, aiming to reduce the prevalence of health disparities through traditionally underserved communities.
“We are proud to collaborate with the ACC and local Camden partner, the Food Trust, on the Caring Hearts Initiative,” L. Heath Sampson, CEO and president of Modivcare, said. “This key partnership allows us to connect with the right local partners and make a meaningful impact in the community by providing essential health and nutrition resources. By making these connections to care, we are fostering an environment that supports the health and well-being of the members we serve.”
“With the Caring Hearts Initiative, our goal is to provide ongoing support resources for food security, nutrition and meal planning through our community partners, and in-store health screening services and patient risk assessments with Higi and Modivcare,” Dr. Dick Kovacs, chief medical officer of the ACC, said. “All of which have a direct impact on heart health. This initiative exemplifies how strategic partnerships can effectively address health disparities.”
With its presence in three cities nationally, 12 corner stores and community center locations and over 9,500 completed screenings, the Caring Hearts Initiative is a significant step toward creating more inclusive and healthier communities. This initiative showcases the power of collaboration between national organizations and local partners to drive social change and ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities or economic status, has access to the resources they need to lead healthier lives.
