Research Project Summary
The delivery of public health services is affected by funding and governance. For example, New Jersey’s Home Rule System gives local governments authority over public health decisions based on size and class. While this offers flexibility, it can also lead to underfunding and uneven program delivery across communities, hindering equitable health outcomes. Due to funding constraints and control, health departments face the challenge of raising resources to address community needs. Moreover, in a 2025 report presented to New Jersey Local Health Departments, studies show that, on average, Health Departments spent $18.45 per capita on foundational public services; of that, $0.63 was allocated to communication.
To analyze local efforts, our study uses state initiative for diabetes and maternal mortality. We chose these topics based on two criteria: first, New Jersey has made these health issues a priority, so state-level data, which can help us identify changes within the state over time. Given the state’s interests, counties had political support to address these health concerns. Secondly, the state initiatives were successful overall, allowing us to interview health care professionals working to implement programs and serve underrepresented community members. In addition, groups will have opinions about the work and can demonstrate information retention. The interviews will allow researchers to learn how the community feels about their health and discuss the challenges of accessing healthcare in their areas. In addition, support the survey and community interviews we will perform to gain a clear understanding of the relationship between practitioners and the community.
Research Project Goals
For this project, we will have three primary outcomes: we will conduct community-engaged research that researches policy and practice. In addition, build capacity within the community organization for data collection and interpretation. Finally, we want to disseminate findings through accessible formats for both academic and community audiences. Through this process, we will collaborate with departments within the city of Vineland, the Puerto Rican Action Committee (PRAC) of Southern NJ, and SJIPH to highlight the factors that impact the community's access to resources and how the current process affects the delivery of services.
To achieve our local outcomes, our study uses the state initiative on diabetes and maternal mortality to assist in measuring outreach. We chose these topics based on two criteria: First, New Jersey has made these health issues a priority, so state-level data can help us identify changes over time. Given the state's interests, counties had political support to address these health concerns. Secondly, the state initiatives were successful overall, allowing us to interview health care professionals working to implement programs and serve underrepresented community members. In addition, groups will have opinions about the work and can demonstrate information retention.
We will use a two-pronged approach: First, we will begin measuring the outreach methods of other health organizations in the surrounding coastal community. To perform this task, we will conduct interviews with health organizations, departments, and agencies to learn about outreach efforts. Moreover, we want to know how their impact is measured. To further our understanding of these issues, we will conduct interviews with health leaders in rural and urban departments throughout New Jersey to compare the methods and resources they provide. The second approach we will take is to perform interviews and surveys with residents within the communities to identify what inspires trust in the health departments.
Research Project Objectives
For this project will have three objectives, we will conduct community-engaged research that informs policy and practice. In addition, build capacity within the community organization for data collection and interpretation. Finally, we will disseminate findings through accessible formats for both academic and community audiences.