May 17, 2021

National Arthritis Awareness Month Arthritis is one of the most widespread health conditions in the United States. It affects about one in four adults overall. To recognize this toll on Americans’ health, CDC, the Arthritis Foundation and other partners observe Arthritis Awareness Month in May. Learn More

Examining Links Between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease in Older African American Population Rutgers University researchers collaborate to address gaps in understanding the cognitive, neural, and immunological consequences of COVID-19 in older African Americans. Learn More

Vaccinated and Still Isolated: The Ethics of Overprotecting Nursing Home Residents This article describes the challenges faced by nursing home residents and the impact of restrictions on their ability to be with family and friends on their quality of life. Learn More

The New Jersey Department of Health has launched a program that can provide in-home COVID-19 vaccine appointments for homebound persons, and has begun accepting requests for this service. If you are unable to leave home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or you are the family member or caregiver of someone who is homebound, you my request an in-home vaccination by completing a Request for in-Home Vaccination. For assistance completing the form by phone, please call the NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at 1-855-568-0545. After you submit the request, the Department of Health will share your information with a home health agency, local health department, or other vaccination provider, and you will be contacted to schedule an in-home vaccination appointment.

Upcoming Events

Environmental and Community Determinants of Health: Exploring Health Outcomes Using Area-Level Data  May 18, 12pm ET The NJ ACTS Special Populations Core invites you to their 2021 Webinar Series. Health outcomes are increasingly understood to be a function of the natural and built environments where patients reside. Attendees will learn about area level data sources and research methods necessary to conduct research focusing on environmental and community determinants of health outcomes and discuss implications for future research.

Join Here

Meditation for a More Balanced Life May 20, 7pm ET Learn a simple and natural method of meditation that will help enhance your life. The New Brunswick Free Public Library invites you to join host Ajili Hodari, Esq. for this powerful program.

Register Here

Low Platelet Levels and Advancements in Treatment May 20, 12pm ET The East Brunswick Public Library invites you to join Astera Cancer Care specialists and other local medical experts, for a better understanding of cancer-related conditions and how they can be managed.

Register Here

Funding Opportunities

Behavioral Health Stabilization Homes for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities  This Request for Proposals is issued by the NJ Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for the provision of out-of-home stabilization and assessment services on a statewide basis to individuals with I/DD under DDD services that present with intense behavioral and/or emotional challenges that cannot be effectively managed in their current living arrangement. RFP deadline is 4pm on July 2, 2021. Learn more here.

Community Resources

Learn more and find helpful resources about Arthritis here. "Examining Pain Experiences and Care in Underserved Populations," read the NCCIH Research Blog entry here. Learn more and find helpful resources about Lupus here. New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub: The State of New Jersey has put together a list of resources about the COVID-19 virus including testing sites, signs and symptoms, and FAQs about social services.  You can find community-based and local COVID-19 testing site locations and hours here. Middlesex County residents can register for a free COVID-19 test at sites throughout the county. Appointments required. The sites provide saliva-based test kits developed at Rutgers University. Visit New Jersey’s COVID-19 Vaccine Registration site to pre-register for the vaccine. New Jersey's Covid-19 Vaccine Appointment Call Center can be reached at 855-568-0545.

New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science https://njacts.rbhs.rutgers.edu/community/ This newsletter is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number, UL1TR003017 to Rutgers University. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the NIH. You are receiving this newsletter because you are a member of NJ ACTS or have signed up to receive our emails. To add a subscriber, please click here. Send story ideas to njactscommunity@rwjms.rutgers.edu Copyright 2021 New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science, all rights reserved.