Diabetes continues to be prevalent among South Jersey's Latino communities. Local organizations are combating it, meal by meal.
In the heart of Cumberland County, New Jersey, a significant health concern has been looming for years - diabetes. According to the New Jersey Department of Health's State Health Assessment Data portal, approximately 10.5% of adults in the county have been diagnosed with diabetes. This figure is particularly high among communities of color, with non-Hispanic Black adults and Hispanic adults experiencing prevalence rates of 13.6% and 12.5%, respectively, compared to 6.8% among non-Hispanic White adults.
To combat this health disparity, local organizations like Perfil Latino in Vineland have been at the forefront, educating community members and providing support since 1997. This Vineland-based organisation has been training residents as health promoters, helping neighbours manage diabetes, understand nutrition labels, and seek preventive care.
Perfil Latino's signature program, Su Corazón, Su Vida (Your Heart, Your Life), focuses on raising awareness about diabetes and its linkage to heart disease within the Latino community. Through workshops, health management classes, and peer-to-peer outreach, they aim to break the cycle of limited awareness.
The promoters at Perfil are trained using the curriculum from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, through VisionYes Enterprise. The organisation also offers free, bilingual health education to the community.
However, due to recent immigration policies under the Trump administration, community members have been less comfortable in public places. As a result, Perfil has had to host the majority of its program virtually. Despite this challenge, the impact of Perfil's programs is measurable. In one recent evaluation, 75% of participants adopted healthier lifestyles, and many reported fewer visits to the emergency room.
Katherin Zepeda, from Perfil Latino, educated nearly 3,100 people in person in the county in 2024. One such resident, Marisol Soriano Cruz from Bridgeton, New Jersey, prioritises nutritious meals for her family due to the prevalence of diabetes in her community.
In addition to Perfil Latino, other local groups are stepping up to provide education and support. The Diabetes Foundation of New Jersey offers education, supplies, and patient navigation, while Federally Qualified Health Centers like CompleteCare Health Network in Cumberland and Gloucester Counties offer screenings, nutrition counseling, and ongoing diabetes care.
Moreover, the New Jersey Department of Health supports and expands the Healthy Corner Store Initiative, aiming to foster healthier food access in underserved communities. In November 2023, $1.75 million in funding will be allocated to expand this initiative to up to 150 corner stores statewide, including stores in Vineland.
In a county where health care access is limited, these community-led programs are crucial for providing education and support tailored to the needs of people of color. They complement broader healthcare initiatives that include community health events providing free screening and management services for chronic diseases like diabetes.
In summary, organisations like Perfil Latino are playing a vital role in addressing the high prevalence of diabetes among communities of color in Cumberland County. Through education, support, and outreach, they are helping residents take control of their health and work towards a healthier future. For those in need of assistance, resources like NJ 2-1-1 can help connect residents to local health and social services.
- The linkage between diabetes and heart disease is a significant concern being addressed by Perfil Latino, a local organization in Cumberland County, through their program Su Corazón, Su Vida.
- Due to recent immigration policies, Perfil Latino has had to adapt and host their programs predominantly virtually, despite community members being less comfortable in public places.
- Katherin Zepeda from Perfil Latino educated over 3,000 people in person in 2024, an effort that has led one resident, Marisol Soriano Cruz, to prioritize nutritious meals for her family.
- Other local groups, such as the Diabetes Foundation of New Jersey and Federally Qualified Health Centers like CompleteCare Health Network, are also providing education, support, and care for diabetes patients in Cumberland County.
- To address the limited healthcare access in underserved communities, the New Jersey Department of Health supports initiatives like the Healthy Corner Store Initiative, which aims to expand healthier food options in up to 150 corner stores statewide, including stores in Vineland.
