Community Health & Wellness | Montefiore in the Community | How You Can Help

Community

Montefiore Medical Center is distinguished among premier academic medical centers for its deep commitment to the community.Montefiore provides healthcare services to more than two million people in the Bronx and Westchester County. Dedicated to advancing the health of the entire community, we sponsor numerous innovative programs that address critical health issues affecting our community, partner with community organizations and government leaders to improve health and wellness, and lead community development efforts to promote safe, productive neighborhoods.

Montefiore has selected three of New York State’s “Prevention Agenda” priorities as its focus:

  • The Obesity Epidemic,
  • Physical Activity and Nutrition, and
  • Reducing Tobacco Use

Obesity, poor nutrition and tobacco use are important contributors to the substantial rise in premature deaths and illness among residents in the Bronx. These issues also contribute directly to such varied health problems as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer in which the Bronx has significantly higher rates than those living in the New York metropolitan area and the state.

Montefiore has a number of existing efforts under way to help tackle these health issues, starting with education and prevention. They are also areas in which the medical center has longstanding and effective partnerships, and partner support for plans to expand on what has been done, successfully, to date.

Obesity

Montefiore teamed up with New York State Assemblyman Peter Rivera and New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera to educate the Bronx community about taking ownership of their health and wellness and reducing obesity.

Physicians at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM), along with the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, are spearheading a Bronx Nutrition and Fitness Initiative for Teens (B'N Fit) Anti-Obesity Program. The mission of the nine-month program, followed up by a maintenance program, is to provide a safe environment for teens that need access to comprehensive weight loss services.

B’N Fit teaches teens, between the ages of 12 to 21, how to adopt healthy lifelong nutritional and physical activity skills, to develop coping skills and enhance their personal responsibility, and to utilize their family, social and community resources to achieve personal goals.

Physical Activity and Nutrition

Physical activity and balanced nutrition are key to overall health and wellness. We are keeping the Bronx moving by supporting the development of bike lanes on Bronx streets, sponsoring the annual “Tour de Bronx” bicycling event and offering a number of fitness classes, including our popular and vigorous Zumba dance classes.

Montefiore is partnering with the New York City Departments of Transportation and Parks, as well as Transportation Alternatives to instruct and encourage exercise in public areas through Bronx on the Move!, which coordinates scheduled car-free streets?especially near schools?creating an active living environment.

In addition, we support a number of health-related walkathons throughout the community, including the Bronx Zoo’s annual Run for the Wild to support the Wildlife Conservancy’s effort to save lions, and the “Stomp Out Sarcoma” awareness walk at Van Cortlandt Park.

As part of an initiative to promote physical education in Bronx elementary schools affiliated with our School Health Program, we have developed a low-cost, teacher-friendly “CHAM JAM” CD to get students active in the classroom. The “CHAM JAM” CD is a short-burst, 10-minute, education-focused aerobic activity led by teachers in their classrooms.

The “CHAM JAM” CD provides integrated lessons that promote physical activity while reinforcing academic learning objectives. The program is mixed in a recording studio by a professional recording talent who sets the lessons to contemporary music beats that get students on their feet.

The medical center is also improving Bronx residents’ access to healthy food by sponsoring and supporting a Weekly Farmers Market and Green Carts throughout the borough, and partnering with the city on its Healthy Bodega initiative.

In addition, we participate in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual nutrition education and information campaign designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

In 2004, Montefiore Medical Center was awarded a grant from the J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation to develop a Healthy Kids initiative. Healthy Kids is a partnership between Montefiore’s School Health Program and five Bronx elementary schools to operate a multifaceted program of physical activity, nutritional education and hands-on experience.

The focus of the long-running program is on reducing childhood obesity by establishing an effective, sustainable and reproducible school and community based program that promotes exercise and healthy eating.

Over the next three years, the Healthy Kids program will be expanded to 11 other schools served by Montefiore’s school-based health service.

We are dedicated to establishing healthy habits among children enrolled in Montefiore’s School Health Program. 

Tobacco Use

In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for about one in five deaths annually and both smoking and smokeless tobacco are known to cause cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Montefiore announced its smoke-free campus policy on March 23, 2011.

In an effort to help community members stop using tobacco, counseling, referral, education and support groups are offered at Montefiore campuses, as well as at Montefiore Medical Group, health fairs and events and through a partnership with Bronx BREATHES, the Bronx county tobacco cessation center led by our partner, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Bronx Breathes is increasing the number of Bronx residents who use the services of the New York State Smokers' Quitline.

Community Health and Wellness

Montefiore is an active corporate citizen, educating and engaging members of the community about health issues and healthier lifestyles. We are committed to ensuring healthcare is available to every individual and family by continuously expanding our reach through programs such as our school-based health centers, mobile healthcare vans, home visiting doctors and our extensive outreach efforts. Learn more about programs integral to Montefiore’s efforts to advance the health and wellness of the community. 

Montefiore in the Community

Montefiore provides healthcare services to more than two million people in the Bronx and Westchester. Dedicated to advancing the health of the entire community, we provide resources and sponsor numerous innovative programs that address critical health issues on behalf of our residents. Learn more about Montefiore’s impact in the community.

How Can You Help

We are proud to stand with our community in developing initiatives that serve the community.  Find out more about how you can help. 

Community Reports

View Montefiore’s Community Service Plan for 2010-2013 to learn about our full range of community programs. Discover more about Montefiore’s plans in the community.

For more information, contact Montefiore’s Office of Community Relations, which collaborates with local government, elected officials and community organizations, serves on boards and planning committees, and sponsors a variety of activities and events that promote health and wellness.