NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021
IFH COMMUNITY
NEWSLETTER
BIMONTHLY NEWS FROM THE RUTGERS INSTITUTE FOR
HEALTH, HEALTH CARE POLICY AND AGING RESEARCH
Highlights include:
New community partners
Updates about COVID boosters
Vaccines for children 5-11 years old
and treatment options
BEATING HOLIDAY
DEPRESSION,
SEE PAGE 2
Dr. Su Wang (right) on the TODAY Show
DR. WANG BUILDS BREAST
CANCER AWARNESS ON THE
TODAY SHOW
IFH member, RCMAR advisor, and Director of the
Center for Asian Health's Dr. Su Wang appeared on
the Today Show to discuss breast cancer.
As both a physician and a cancer survivor, Dr. Wang
is just one of a handful of physicians that has
experienced a cancer diagnosis from both sides. In
speaking with the Today Show anchors, Dr. Wang
talked about her personal experience and how it has
shaped her as a physician and her approach with her
patients. In addition, she encouraged viewers to
perform monthly screenings, speak with their
physicians, and to be vigilant when it comes to
breast cancer.
To view the interview, go to ifh.rutgers.edu/ifh-in-
the-news
Community outreach, health fairs, and events
Dr. Su Wang's appearance of the Today Show
A little holiday cheer!
All that and more inside this issue.
Mariely Moronta-Sanchez, Director; Mark Dinglasan, Executive
Director, CUMAC; Eric Hughes, Director of Programs, CUMAC; Cynthia
Cangre-Ron, Client Services Coordinator, CUMAC
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
WELCOMES NEW COMMUNITY
PARTNER
Recently, Director of Community Outreach, Mariely
Moronta-Sanchez met with Mark Dinglasan and the
team at CUMAC, based in Paterson. Serving over
35,000 families in 2020, CUMAC’s mission is to fight
hunger and its root causes through a holistic,
trauma-informed approach that provides groceries
and basic necessities to families and individuals in
need. CUMAC is not just a food pantry as some
might believe. CUMAC believes ending hunger is
about wrapping supportive services around
individuals and families so that they are able to get
the resources they need to flourish. Our Choice
Marketplace gives power to our clients and space
for volunteers and clients to get to know each
other. As CUMAC expands its work and its facilities,
we welcome them to the IFH family.
For more information, go to www.cumac.org
 FEELING THE
HOLIDAY
BLUES?
By: Tammy Chung, Director,
IFH's Center for Population Behavioral Health
The holidays bring a rush of excitement for fun with
family and friends. However, the holiday rush can also
bring an overwhelming wave of cooking and cleaning,
travel, and financial strain, all packed into an overloaded
schedule that can increase stress and depression. When
experiencing stress and depression interferes with
completing chores or enjoying activities, these are urgent
warning signs to protect your health. Talk to your doctor
about treatment options. Support is available (see below).
Seek support. Talk to a good friend or understanding
family member about your feelings when you’re
stressed, to get some comforting support. If you’re
feeling lonely, seek out social events through
community websites or online support groups.
Set differences aside. Emotions can run high when
seeing certain people at social events. Prepare
yourself to handle possible differences in opinion, and
social comparisons. Pause before responding to
prepare a calm answer. For example, “I know this is
important to you. Let’s talk about this later.”
Set priorities. Keep a manageable schedule by saying
“no” to some requests and invitations. Prioritize
spending time with people, and doing activities, that
lift your spirits.
Take care of yourself. Treat yourself to a refreshing
break. Savor positive moments. Take time to
appreciate little things (e.g., the sparkle of holiday
lights). Limit alcoholic beverages, which can worsen
depression. Exercise regularly to reduce stress. Get a
good night’s sleep.
Using these tools can bring more moments of
peace during the holiday season.
Community supports:
Rutgers Behavioral Health Care 800-969-5300
NJ Hopeline 1-855-654-6735
Middlesex County crisis line (877) 294-HELP (4357)
COVID TESTING AT IFH
COVID-19 testing continues at IFH on Monday
mornings from 9am-noon and Thursday afternoons
from 1-4pm. The tests are offered free of charge and
no insurance is required. Testing is open to anyone 12
years of age and older who has not shown symptoms
of COVID over the prior day. Results from the
molecular test are available in about 15-minutes and
can be printed or emailed. While appointments are
not required, they are available.
To schedule, call 848-216-5565 or
email community@ifh.rutgers.edu.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021
FOOD SAFETY DURING THE
HOLIDAYS
According to CDC,
foodborne illness
causes an estimated
48 million illnesses
and 3,000 deaths each year in the United States.
People get this disease by eating contaminated food.
Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or
fever. It is similar to flu symptoms, so it is difficult for
people to distinguish foodborne illness and flu.
Infants, young children, pregnant women and their
unborn babies, older adults, and people with
weakened immune systems are at greater risk of
getting foodborne illness.
Tips for preventing foodborne illness:
When shopping, choose the refrigerated or frozen
items lastly, check the package of meat or poultry
to make sure it's not leaking, and check the “Sell-
By,” “Use-By”, or expiration dates is important.
Store food appropriately: Put perishable food in
refrigerator within 2 hours, and if the
temperature is above 90°F, refrigerate perishable
food within 1 hour.
Cook or freeze fresh meat as soon as possible,
poultry, fish, ground meats, and variety meats
within 2 days; other beef, veal lamb, or pork,
within 3 to 5 days.
Avoid meat juices from getting onto other food by
warping securely.
Avoid danger zone, which is from 40°F-140°, and
the best temperature to store frozen foods is 0°F.
Clean- Wash hands and Surfaces often
Separate- Don’t cross-contaminate
IFH CONDUCTING STATE-WIDE
HEALTH SCREENINGS
IFH has been travelling the state
offering blood pressure, cholesterol,
and blood glucose screenings.
The goal of our health screenings
is to provide access to testing that
many people postponed or lacked
access to during COVID. In addition to the
screenings, all participants are given the opportunity
to meet with a student dietitian who reviews the
results of the tests. The students also provide
nutrition education regarding cholesterol, reducing
blood pressure, and cutting sugar in the diet.
This month, we were welcomed to the Clifton area
thanks to our host - the Allwood Library and
invitation from our partners, Passaic county-based,
City Green. We were also welcomed to Burlington
County thanks to our hosts at the Burlington County
Library in Westhampton. The library has graciously
offered to host a health fair at each of their member
libraries over the next few months, so if you were
unable to join us in Westhampton, try stopping when
we visit any of the county branches.
PAGE 2
 PARTNER WITH US!
To partner with IFH on events and community engagement
efforts, please complete our form:
https://forms.gle/hr8gymMXArpDvqKn8

SETTING SMART, HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS LONG COVID AND THE BRAIN

S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant,
and time-specific. Specific goals have a clear, quantifiable target.
For example, you may wish to eat healthier in 2022 but what does
this look like? What food should you be eating and how much?
Rather, a specific goal may be, “I want to eat three different
fruits.” Defining exactly what you want to change about your diet
creates a roadmap for where you want to see yourself in the
future. This leads to measurability. The previous example
outlines how this goal will be measured in terms of what and how
much you’ll be eating. This will help measure progress towards
your goal while giving feedback on your strengths and areas for
improvement. For example, you might notice that weekdays are
easier to keep this goal whereas weekends are a bit more
challenging. This may suggest a change in your behavior or a
change in the goal itself.
You know yourself best and you understand what
goals are most compatible with your abilities and
the lifestyle that you wish to live. Attainable goals
keep these factors in mind. Modifying your goal to
be fun and attainable will make it more achievable. Similarly,
having relevance to your resolution will keep you motivated.
Relevance refers to why you’re taking on this endeavor in the
first place and may evolve as you continue this journey. Lastly,
your resolution should be time specific. Circling back to the
example of eating more fruits, ask yourself how often you want to
eat three different fruits (i.e. daily, weekly, etc.). Be gentle to
yourself and your body as you embark on these lifestyle changes
and remember that progress is not linear. Perhaps January 1st
isn’t the best day to start for you and that’s okay! These tools will
take you one step closer toward your goal, whenever you’re ready
to start.
IFH along with our community
partners held an informational
webinar on the impact of
Long COVID on the brain,
conducted by Dr. Michelle Chen, IFH Core
Member & Instructor in Neurology and Dr.
Jasdeep Hundal, a Board-Certified Clinical
Neuropsychologist and Associate Professor and
Director of Neuropsychology.
They discussed the residual symptoms some
people may have weeks or months after they
recover from COVID-19, including fatigue,
headaches, loss of sense of tase or smell,
dizziness, depression, impaired cognition and
sleep problems. Everyone is at risk for COVID-
19, but only some have Long COVID-19
symptoms. The risk for these increases with
aging, excess weight, other medical conditions
(ex. Diabetes), immunosuppressive medications
and if someone had multiple symptoms from
the beginning.
Research is still ongoing and there’s still a lot
we don’t know. However, the recommendation
is to treat and support physical, cognitive,
mental and social well-being of the individual.
There are several programs in NJ that can help
people identify and manage these symptoms
such as at RWJUH, Saint Peter’s Healthcare
System, Hackensack Meridian Health and
Bancroft NeuroRehab.

Click here to check out the presentation.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID SHOTS FOR KIDS? WE HAVE ANSWERS...

On October 29, 2021, the FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 shot for children ages 5 – 11.
You, like many others, may have questions regarding the safety and the effectiveness of the vaccination. First, we know the
COVID-19 vaccine is safe for kids because it was studied in approximately 3,100 children ages 5 through 11 who received the
vaccine and no serious side effects have been detected in the ongoing study. Any side effects coming from the COVID-19 shot
will also likely be milder than for adults because children are being given a smaller dose of the vaccine. Furthermore, COVID-
19 vaccination will help prevent kids from getting severely sick, especially if they are immunocompromised (ie, have asthma).
Complications from COVID-19 for kids are rare, but long-term complications are still unknown. Loss of taste and smell and
mental health implications may arise, but the shot can minimize risk of infection. Although many adults are vaccinated, kids
should still get the shot as well. Kids might be exposed to COVID in schools and accidentally expose their classmates,
teachers, grandparents, or other high-risk individuals in their lives. Less transmission means less opportunities for the virus
to mutate. It is recommended that you talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have further questions.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 PAGE 3

COVID TREATMENTS - WHAT'S
APPROVED, WHAT'S PENDING
The FDA has authorized COVID-19 treatments
that may be used for individuals who have
been hospitalized or are at risk for developing
severe illness. In fall 2020, the FDA
approved: the antiviral drug, remdesivir and two monoclonal
antibody treatments - bamlanivimab (produced by Eli Lilly)
and a combination of casirivimab and imdevimab called
REGN-COV. Both treatments have been approved for non-
hospitalized adults and children over the age of 12 with mild
to moderate COVID-19 symptoms who are at risk for
developing severe COVID-19. When administered by IV after
the development of symptoms, these treatments can reduce
the risk of hospitalization.
For certain individuals who are hospitalized with COVID-19,
corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are used to treat the
effects of a hyper-immune response to infection. For COVID-
19 patients with severe symptoms that require supplemental
oxygen or ventilators, those treated with dexamethasone are
less likely to die than those who only received standard care.
Dexamethasone does not benefit patients who do not need
respiratory support.
CAH HONORED BY CHINESE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Congratulations to the staff of the Center for Asian Health at
Saint Barnabas Medical Center for being recognized for their
work by the New Jersey Chinese American Chamber of
Commerce. As part of Chamber's 18th Anniversary Gala and
Awards Banquet, the Center received a Special Award for
Humanity.
As part of the gala, CAH's Peter Lee, DO, FACEP gave a
keynote speech in which he talked about the amazing efforts
of the Chinese community to donate PPE during this time to
hospitals, and how he faced anti-Asian hate while caring for
people. Dr. Lee reflected on the progress we've made over the
past 2 years, including the development of the vaccine, and
the excitement of his 6-year-old receiving her shot!
Dr. Lee accepted the recognition along with Dr. Su Wang and
the CAH team. Also in attendance were IFH Director of
Community Outreach, Mariely Moronta-Sanchez and
Research Project Coordinator, Michael Toto. Again,
congratulations to the CAH team!

The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for

tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of hospitalized adults
and children ages two and older who are receiving
corticosteroids and who require respiratory support.
Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that the FDA has
approved for the use of several autoimmune diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is not authorized for use in
non-hospitalized patients.

DATES TO REMEMBER YOU'RE INVITED!

December
Our community partners are invited to join us as
we welcome Rutgers President Jonathan
1st - World AIDS Day Holloway to IFH on Friday, January 28 for a forum
6th - Last Day of Hanukkah on population health. Look out for more details.
5th & 11th - National Influenza Vaccination Week
13th - East Brunswick Public Library Health
Screening
13th - Facebook Live presentation on Brain
Health
25th - Christmas
26th - Start of Kwanzaa

STAY CONNECTED WITH US!

Sign up for this newsletter.

Learn more about the NJ Population Health

Collaborative and our partnerships and resources.

Send questions or comments.

Follow us on social media @RutgersIFH

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 PAGE 4