Building Partnerships for Population Health 

This project will build partnerships between the Rutgers Health Service Corps (RHSCorps) and New Brunswick community-based organizations (CBOs) to enhance population health. The RHSCorps, comprised of Rutgers student volunteers, will collaborate with CBOs to organize health screening events, address social determinants of health, and promote health equity. Inspired by the success of the Rutgers VAX Corps in COVID-19 vaccination efforts, RHSCorps members will engage in community-identified health promotion initiatives.

The grant objectives are to:

1) Establish relationships with New Brunswick Tomorrow and the RWJ University Hospital (RWJUH) Community Health Promotions Program leaders and stakeholders to understand community needs

2) Gain insight into their activities, along with barriers and facilitators to success

3) Understand community relationships with Rutgers and RWJUH to foster trust

4) Facilitate access to desired population health data

5) Support joint community health screening and promotion events, providing RHSCorps volunteers, funding, and resources; and

6) Offer free access and logistical support for a new event software platform (GivePulse), aiding in activity planning and volunteer coordination.

By enhancing partnerships between the RHSCorps and CBOs, this project aims to improve the health and health equity of the population in New Brunswick.