Johnson & Johnson joins health equity initiative

Johnson & Johnson

(NYSE: JNJ)
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today announced its support for a collaboration with more than 100 community-led health organizations to improve health equity.

The collaboration builds upon the company’s multiyear, multimillion-dollar efforts to improve health equity. Organizations involved support historically marignalized communities across the U.S., aiming to bridge the healthcare gap for people of color.

“We recognize that to effectively address healthcare disparities, changes must occur at all levels in our society. Supporting the work of grassroots organizations, community health centers and national associations is integral to identifying and implementing enduring healthcare solutions,” said Vanessa Broadhurst, EVP, global corporate affairs at Johnson & Johnson.

Organizations supported by the company include It Takes Philly’s Black Doctors Consortium, which aims to improve hte quality of and access to care in a high-touch, concierge-style setting in Philadelphia’s low-income communities. The Black Women’s Health Imperative seeks to empower Black women to take charge of their health. That includes diabetes prevention and self-managemnet classes.

Finally, J&J plans to support the National Association of Community Health Centers. NACHC plans to use the funding to enhance new models of care that improve health outcomes for communities of color. It also seeks to expand workforce programs to create pathways for nurses of color to advance in their careers.

Johnson & Johnson also recently held a Health Equity Innovation Challenge to support solutions developed by entrepreneurs and startups. The company awarded $75,000 in seed funding to five local health innovators: Dion’s Chicago Dream (Illinois), the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association, Oben Health (California), SisterLove, Inc. (Georgia), and Students Run Philly Style.

Additionally, the company’s My Health Can’t Wait initiative enters its second year as a community wellness initiative. It delivers screenings and educational materials to communities of color.