The New Jersey Department of Health has designated the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing as the state’s official Public Health Institute (PHI), marking a significant milestone in bolstering New Jersey’s public health infrastructure.
This designation positions New Jersey to join over 40 other states with similar institutes working to enhance public health systems and puts health equity at the center of collaboration and innovation to improve public health.
Established through Executive Directive No. 25-002, the move fulfills the vision of legislation (P.L. 2025, c.46) enacted by Governor Phil Murphy in April. Public Health Institutes help states transform and diversify the infrastructure, personnel and resources necessary to advance remedies for a variety of public health threats, including chronic diseases, substance use epidemics and communicable disease outbreaks.
“Today’s announcement builds on our efforts to bolster public health and support positive health outcomes for our residents. Public health institutes have demonstrated great potential to bring collective action to address disparities and support equitable access to health services,” said Gov. Murphy. “I look forward to seeing the results of New Jersey’s partnership with the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing in ensuring our public health system is strong enough to handle the demands of New Jersey residents now and for generations to come.”
“After years of advocacy, the vision of a state-designated Public Health Institute to advance public health, tackle disparities and deepen linkages in our health systems is finally a reality,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “I’m excited to work with the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing to ensure New Jersey is prepared for future health threats and remains at the cutting edge of public health.”
The nonprofit Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing will facilitate collaboration between government, health-care providers, academic institutions and community organizations. As New Jersey’s designated PHI, the Center will support the state’s public health agencies and initiatives by incubating programs, providing research and assessment in order to translate evidence into practice and assisting with capacity-building and policy development. The Center will bring together the capabilities and flexibility of a nonprofit organization with the state’s public health authority and infrastructure to address complex health challenges, bridge gaps in services and advance health equity for all New Jersey residents.
“We are deeply honored and grateful for the executive directive designating The Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing as New Jersey’s Public Health Institute,” said Denise Anderson, Ph.D., MPH, executive director of the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing. “This recognition affirms our steadfast commitment to providing New Jerseyans with what they need to reach their fullest health potential and improving public health outcomes for all. We look forward to a productive and enduring partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health, working together to meet the varying needs of our communities and ensuring every resident has the opportunity to thrive.”
For over 30 years, public health leaders in New Jersey have advocated for the establishment of a dedicated Public Health Institute. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the importance of a coordinated, resilient and equitable response to health emergencies.
The 2022 Seizing the Moment report found that a nonprofit PHI could play a key role in reimagining and modernizing New Jersey’s public health system. The report was issued by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the Nicholson Foundation and the National Network of Public Health Institutes with NJDOH. Following that report, RWJF granted $1 million to Acenda Integrated Health in 2022 to incubate a Public Health Institute to serve New Jersey.
“The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is committed to improving health equity throughout our state, and we see the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing as the realization of a vital step in helping New Jersey to be a safer, healthier and more equitable state,” said Sheila Reynertson, senior program officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “We look forward to the cross-sector collaboration that will take place between agencies, organizations and communities to overcome the barriers to health equity that have been long-standing throughout New Jersey.”
“The designation of The Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing as a state Public Health Institute marks an important step in the expansion of capacity for advancing public health priorities in New Jersey,” said Vincent Lafronza, president and CEO of the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI). “Public Health Institutes have a history of effective partnerships with state health departments, resulting in healthier communities. As an NNPHI member since 2023, the Center will have the ability to leverage best practices and resources from the network to benefit population health in New Jersey.”
Following the designation, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing will work together to develop an agreement to meet the purpose, objectives and requirements established by P.L. 2025, c.46 for the State’s PHI.
P.L. 2025, c.46 outlines several core functions that the PHI will serve, including:
- Coordinating among national, state and local agencies to promote equitable public health services
- Providing administrative, operational and fiscal support to public and private health agencies and community-based organizations
- Developing and implementing programs designed to improve public health outcomes and address racial disparities
- Supporting workforce development, education, applied research and policy development
- Assisting the Department with contracts for medical countermeasures and other products needed to protect public health
