NJN’s Su Salud Primero/Your Health First  Receives 2009 Emmy

Last month, NJN’s health special Su Salud Primero/Your Health First  received the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award in the Community Service category as well as taking first place in the Philadelphia Press Association Awards for Television Public Service in June.  This special highlighted healthcare issues in the Latino community so successfully that the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has agreed to support an Images/Imagenes special entitled Salud Sin Barreras/Health Without Barriers to explore the high cost of emergency room care and health care disparities.

In addition, Su Salud will be released nationally through American Public Television – a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations for 48 years, distributing more than 300 new titles per year – taking NJN’s special program to the rest of the country.  The half-hour documentary demonstrates how individuals have learned to live a longer and healthier life and explores the health-care crisis affecting the Hispanic population.  The candid, personal stories of survivors illustrate the value of preventive care and personal lifestyle changes necessary to overcome the restrictions of illness.  The documentary stresses the importance of open lines of communication between medical experts and the Hispanic community to overcome this crisis and looks closely at innovative programs developed in urban areas that are breaking the economic, social and traditional barriers that have kept many Latinos from good health care.  The program was funded by the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

““This Emmy award-winning documentary will be distributed to and seen on public television stations across the country this fall. Thanks to supporters like The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and Daniel Jara and The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, NJN continues to produce important programs like Su Salud Primero/Your Health First, which not only inform the public but also contribute to community understanding of the challenging issues we face in health care. Su Salud Primero/Your Health First was hosted by John Quinones, had a robust bi-lingual website and strong presence in the Hispanic community. Producer/director Willie Sanchez and the Hispanic Youth Showcase contestants reached thousands at parades and community events,” said Janice Selinger, NJN Acting Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful that AARP has agreed to underwrite another program tackling the health issues that impact the Latino community.”

“ AARP is pleased to announce the sponsorship of a special edition of Images/Imagenes to raise awareness about health issues that affect the Latino community in the state,” said Sy Larson, AARP New Jersey State President. “Health care disparity in the New Jersey Latino community needs to be addressed and AARP is committed to highlighting programs and services that can provide meaningful value to Garden State residents. We are delighted to sponsor this project with NJN who consistently produces top quality television programs as evidenced by their multiple Emmy awards this year.”

Salud Sin Barreras/Health Without Barriers, which will air in the spring, will have the same strong production team as Su Salud Primero with William Q. Sanchez as producer/director, Janice Selinger as executive producer, Rich English as editor, Juan Carlos Rojas as associate producer and webmaster, and Steve Oleszek as graphic artist. 

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