Press Release

September 6, 2006
Contact: Tiffany Smith
(973) 972-1025

University Hospital Promotes Healthy Living
During Pre-Ramadan Health Fair

NEWARK — In an effort to reach a diverse patient population and increase outreach to the community, administrators at The University Hospital are hosting a free event to encourage families to actively pursue healthy lifestyles.

The Second Annual Unified Pre-Ramadan Health Fair is being sponsored by The University Hospital and the Islamic Community Health Collaborative at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave., Newark.

Muslims and Non-Muslims are welcome to attend the health screenings, lectures, and activities for children. Families will have an opportunity to learn about heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, men’s and women’s health, oral health, depression and nutrition. Information on local colleges and higher education programs will also be provided.

“Annually health professionals from The University Hospital participate in nearly 100 community-outreach events. As our patient population becomes more diverse, so do their spiritual affiliations,” said Darlene Cox, president and CEO of The University Hospital. “We are proud that The University Hospital has the resources and health professionals who can meet the needs of a diverse patient population who has diverse spiritual beliefs.”

In addition to the Unified Pre-Ramadan Health Fair, The University Hospital and the Islamic Community Health Collaborative will host future comprehensive health education programs that teach families how to be good stewards of their health. The programs will take place during Ramadan and throughout the year.

“Ramadan is a month of blessing when the focus is on praying, fasting, and offering charity,” said Imam Abdul Aleem Razzaqq. “Traditionally, Muslims are very private when it comes to discussing their health issues. This has made it harder for Muslims to seek health care,” says Imam Razzaqq, who is the co-liaison for the collaborative.

The Islamic Community Health Collaborative includes Imams, community leaders and local residents who represent the Council of Imams in New Jersey, Majlis Ash-Shura of New Jersey and the National Islamic Association.

For more information about the Second Annual Unified Pre-Ramadan Health Fair, please call Tiffany Smith at (973) 972-1025.

UMDNJ is the nation’s largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,500 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and a school of public health on five campuses. Annually, there are more than two million patient visits at UMDNJ facilities and faculty practices at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a statewide mental health and addiction services network.