Montefiore and the Lopez Family Foundation announced the establishment of the Center for a Healthy Childhood, which will be designed to promote healthy living through community health programming and messages and a healthy environment.
The center will be at Montefiore's main location in the Bronx, where Lopez was born and raised.
“My roots are in the Bronx. It was natural to join forces with Montefiore, an organization that has cared for and served the Bronx for more than 100 years,” Lopez said in a statement. “Our foundation has done amazing work improving the health and well-being of children around the world and now we’re looking forward to expanding the efforts underway in the borough where I grew up.”
Of 62 counties in New York State, the Bronx is ranked last in overall health outcomes. The Bronx also continues to be the epicenter of high rates of obesity, diabetes, asthma and teen pregnancy.
“We are so pleased to work with Jennifer and her Foundation to impact real change for people living in the Bronx and the surrounding region,” Dr. Steven M. Safyer, Montefiore president and chief executive officer, said in the statement. “Our partnership is unique and our goals are large, but we are committed to expanding our efforts and continuing to reach patients and their families, children and young adults in school and community members in an impactful way.”
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