From the lasting impact of COVID-19 to various Social Determinants of Health, the self-management of chronic diseases has become an urgent health issue across Philadelphia.
A new grant focused on chronic disease self-management among Philly residents will bring together a strategic partnership between Penn Nursing, the Philly CEAL Community Advisory Coalition, and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity.
Together, they will evaluate Philadelphia’s Community Health Worker (CHW) program over the next four years, while also leading a groundbreaking study to improve chronic disease self-management and address the social drivers of health.
Community health workers will lead group sessions, equipping residents with the knowledge and skills to manage their cardiovascular health effectively. The research team recognizes that factors like access to healthy food, safe housing, and stress management tools significantly influence health outcomes, so they will partner with local organizations to develop solutions and bridge these gaps.
This project, co-led by Penn Nursing’s José Bauermeister, PhD, Antonia Villarruel, PhD, Carmen Alvarez, PhD, Stephen Bonett, PhD, and Ashley Clemmons from the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, holds immense promise for promoting cardiovascular health equity in Philadelphia and paving the way for a healthier future for all.