Today, the American Lung Association released its 27th annual “State of the Air” report, which finds that nearly half of the children in the U.S. are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution, including 1,176,798 kids in Pennsylvania. The report also shows that air quality in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area continues to fail, earning, F grades for ozone smog, daily and year-round particle pollution. While the region remains graded straight F’s for all three measures, year-round fine particle pollution worsened compared to last year, moving from 26th worst in the nation to 17th worst, increasing residents’ exposure to unhealthy air.
Today, the American Lung Association released its 27th annual “State of the Air” report, which finds that nearly half of the children in the U.S. are breathing unhealthy levels of air pollution—including over 706,882 children in New Jersey—as communities across the state experienced both worsening smog conditions and selective improvements in particle pollution.
PLACE: Jefferson Health Cherry Hill Hospital 3rd Floor, Area B: 2201 Chapel Ave West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
BACKGROUND:
On Tuesday, April 21, from noon to 1:00 pm, Jefferson Health Cherry Hill Hospital will host art students and teachers from Cherry Hill High School West for an unveiling & luncheon to celebrate the completion of the students’ multi-medium waiting room mural which the students began in September 2025.
The mural, which wraps around three walls of a 3rd floor waiting room on Jefferson’s campus, measures 50 feet x 8 feet, and uses mediums such as acrylic paint, glass mosaics, ceramic tile and photo paper to depict seasonal scenes representative of the New Jersey and Philadelphia region.
The idea for Jefferson’s collaboration with the Cherry Hill High West art students came from Rory Levinson, a nurse manager. As the waiting room doesn’t have windows, Levinson wanted to create a more engaging, comfortable room for patients and visitors to relax in by “bringing the outside in.”
Registration is now open for the inaugural Jefferson Health Cherry Blossom Run/Walk fundraiser on April 26 at 9:00 am at the Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital campus (2201 Chapel Ave W, Cherry Hill, NJ.)
Proceeds will benefit the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Centers in New Jersey, helping to expand access to advanced cancer care close to home in Cherry Hill and Washington Township.
“This event brings our mission to life in a visible and meaningful way,” says Tamara LaCouture, MD, East Region Chief of Cancer Services. “Every step taken supports patients who are navigating cancer with strength and resilience.”
Participants can choose between a 5K run or a 1-mile walk, with options for individuals, families and teams. Friendly competition, team spirit and even four-legged companions are all part of the experience.
Advanced registration is $40 for runners and $25 for walkers. Youth runners (12 and below) are $20 and youth walkers (12 and below) are free. Day-of registration will be available at $50 for runners and $35 for walkers. (Registration will start at 7:30 am.)
On March 10, colon cancer experts from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) and Jefferson Health-East’s colon and rectal surgery department hosted a public outreach event at the Food Bank of South Jersey in Pennsauken that featured a “Strollin’ Colon,” a walk-through inflatable colon to help educate the public on colon cancer and the importance of early screening. The experts answered questions about colorectal cancer and provided resources for prevention, screening and early detection.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Screening guidelines now recommend those at average risk start screening at age 45 or sooner for anyone with a family history of colorectal cancer.
More than $475,000 was raised through Jefferson Health’s recent New Jersey Gala at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. Some 400 guests attended the event, which featured entertainment by Go Go Gadjet, a nationally touring live band known for its high-energy performances, which blend top musicians, dynamic vocalists and creative medleys of popular hits.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center will host a public outreach event at the Food Bank of South Jersey featuring a “Strollin’ Colon,” a walk-through inflatable colon to help educate the public on colon cancer and the importance of early screening.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Food Bank of South Jersey (1501 John Tipton Boulevard, Pennsauken, NJ 08110)
WHO: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center experts will be available to answer questions about colorectal cancer along with providing resources for prevention, screening and early detection.
Details: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Screening guidelines now recommend those at average risk start screening at age 45 or sooner for anyone with a family history of colorectal cancer. Throughout the month of March, the “Strollin’ Colon” will be visiting other community centers and Jefferson Health locations.
Cooper University Hospital has once again earned recertification as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center from The Joint Commission, receiving its Gold Seal of Approval® in recognition of the health system’s ability to treat the most complex stroke cases.
This prestigious designation places Cooper among an elite group of hospitals nationwide equipped with the highest level of expertise, advanced imaging, specialized interventions, and around-the-clock multidisciplinary stroke care.
As an active participant in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, Jefferson Washington Township Hospital and Jefferson Stratford Hospital are proud to announce that they have achieved special recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Earning this distinction required working toward the reliable practice of a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care for all older adults, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mind, and Mobility.
Globally, more than 5,200 hospitals, practices, convenient care clinics, nursing homes, and home health care organizations have been recognized as Age-Friendly Health Systems – Committed to Care Excellence.
“Jefferson Health has always been committed to care excellence and is proud and humbled to have achieved this recognition,” said Aaron Chang, President of Jefferson Health- East. . “The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative continues to be an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible. Above all, we aim every day to earn recognition of excellence from the older adults and carers whom we serve.”
“I applaud the team at Jefferson Health-East for continuing their journey to advance age-friendly care. Age-Friendly Health Systems and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement celebrate their recognition as an Age- Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence,” said Camille Burnett, PhD, MPA, APHN-BC, BScN, RN, DSW, FAAN, Vice President for Health Equity, Institute for Healthcare Improvement. “We know that older adults and staff alike want equitable, evidence-based quality care centered on what matters most to each individual. Together, we can move toward a future in which every older adult, during every care interaction, receives age-friendly care. Thank you, Jefferson Health-East, for all that you do to improve care for our neighbors, colleagues, and friends.”
Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the US (CHA). For more information, visit www.ihi.org/agefriendly.
Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Rosy Bagolie, Shanique Speight, and Carmen Morales would allow continuation of health benefits coverage for young adults with physical or intellectual disabilities who are chiefly dependent on a parent or guardian for support and maintenance. The bill, A2550, cleared the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee last week.
Under current New Jersey law, coverage may continue for a dependent adult child after age 26 while the parent remains with the same employer; however, if the parent changes employers, the new employer is not required to offer continued coverage for that dependent adult child over age 26. Bill A2550 would require health insurers and group health plans that provide dependent coverage to continue to make that coverage available.
“Turning 26 should not mean losing access to critical care for individuals who cannot live or work independently,” said Assemblywoman Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic). “This bill is about protecting residents. It would close a dangerous gap in our law and would give families the stability and peace-of-mind they deserve.”
Currently, many adults with disabilities rely on NJ FamilyCare, the State’s Medicaid program, for health coverage. Yet not all physicians and specialists who accept private insurance accept Medicaid, leaving many individuals without access to care.
Recent federal Medicaid funding reductions enacted under the federal 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act have placed additional financial strain on states, putting hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents at risk of losing coverage.
“Families with individuals with disabilities are already navigating complex medical and financial realities,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “With uncertainty surrounding federal Medicaid funding, we must ensure there is a reliable safety net in place so individuals with disabilities are not left without care.”
“This legislation is about protecting access to care and preserving dignity,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “New Jersey has long been committed to supporting residents with disabilities, and this bill would reinforce that commitment by ensuring coverage does not disappear because of a job change or shifting federal policies.”
