Walter Rand Institute

Public-Population Health

Focus Groups as Bi-Directional Learning Spaces: Lessons from the WRI Colorectal Cancer Project 

Posted in Cumberland County, IMPACT Blog, Public-Population Health, Salem County

Author: Kiersten Westley Henson  WRI recently concluded a project—funded by the South Jersey Institute for Population Health—examining the factors that impact colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates to inform interventions that reduce cancer risk, promote early detection, and strengthen health outcomes across Southern New Jersey’s underserved populations. This project also offers a compelling example of how focus groups—criticized at times as extractive research tools—can be reimagined as symbiotic, two-way learning experiences when… continue reading

WRI in Action: Tracking Recent Engagements Across South Jersey 

Posted in All Southern NJ Counties, Education, Food Security, IMPACT Blog, Opioid Epidemic-Substance Use, Public-Population Health, Social Services Delivery

Author: Natalie PassovThe Walter Rand Institute (WRI) is deeply embedded in the communities of Southern New Jersey. Spanning across all eight counties – Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem – our mission is rooted in a simple but powerful idea championed by Senator Walter Rand: research and data not only can… continue reading

Supporting Healthy Communities: WRI’s Partnerships with Regional Hospital Networks on Community Health Needs Assessments and Addressing Community Needs  

Posted in 25th Anniversary, Atlantic County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, IMPACT Blog, Public-Population Health, Salem County, Social Services Delivery

Authors: Devon Ziminski, Natalie Passov As part of WRI’s 25th anniversary activities, we are highlighting a series of collaborations with our partners in the South Jersey region and across the State. We’re celebrating National Public Health Week by sharing our fruitful partnerships with AtlantiCare and Inspira Health. WRI has collaborated with both health systems over… continue reading

Inspira Health Community Health Needs Assessment 2025-2027 – Regional and County Breakout Reports

Inspira Health Community Health Needs Assessment 2025-2027 – Regional and County Breakout Reports

Posted in Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Public-Population Health, Salem County

Authors: Devon Ziminski, Madeleine Alger, Carla Villacis, Amanda Ekelburg The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) partnered with Inspira Health to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in Inspira Health’s service region of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties. The recently released regional CHNA (2025-2027) provides a detailed overview of the unique health-related… continue reading