United Way of Greater Union County to lead one of several COVID testing outreach programs designed to support Black and Latinx communities
Rutgers University to fund and partner with United Way of Greater Union County
Elizabeth, NJ, Dec 28, 2020 – COVID-19 has made a significant impact on New Jersey’s Black and Latinx populations. The New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS) at Rutgers University received a $5 million National Institutes of Health grant to launch outreach campaigns and expand access to COVID-19 testing for underserved and vulnerable communities in New Jersey. As a result, United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) was awarded a $20,000 grant from Rutgers to participate in their efforts.
Rutgers has assembled top researchers, health care, and community partners to link communities and provide access to COVID-19 testing, healthcare, and social services. This connection also aims to share and implement effective response, recovery, and resilience strategies for Black and Latinx communities.
The Rutgers-led study aims to better understand COVID-19 testing patterns among underserved and vulnerable populations; strengthen the data on disparities in infection rates, disease progression and outcomes; and develop strategies to reduce the disparities in COVID-19 testing.
“United Way of Greater Union County maintains and continually supports key partnerships within the community at the local, state and federal levels. We have the ability to reach many residents that need to get involved in this study,” states James W. Horne, Jr., CEO, United Way of Greater Union County.
UWGUC has done its part by raising awareness in local non-profit and faith-based communities through a strong social media campaign and promoting the need for residents to get involved and participate in the Zoom meetings.
United Way of Greater Union County is one of seventeen partner organizations focused on reaching affected communities with the goal of empowering them to learn about the disease, avoid risk factors associated with the pandemic, and stay healthy and safe.