Community Event at SBH Health & Wellness Center Supports Bronx Residents During Diabetes Prevention Month

Healthfirst, a leading not-for-profit health plan serving more than two million New Yorkers, today is hosting a community event focused on diabetes prevention and management at SBH Health & Wellness Center in the Bronx. This forum, co-hosted with SBH Health System, brings together community members and health educators and marks the conclusion of an event series that has provided practical, actionable resources to support more than 4,500 New Yorkers at hospitals, community organizations, and farmers’ markets across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

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Healthfirst Community Event at SBH Health & Wellness Center Supports Bronx Residents During Diabetes Prevention Month

Approximately one in ten adults in New York City lives with diabetes, with rates highest in the Bronx (15%), according to the 2022 NYC Community Health Survey. To support communities and neighborhoods with the highest incidence of diabetes, Healthfirst has hosted grassroots events that include expert-led discussions, access to health screenings, and hands-on activities.

“Diabetes has a devastating impact across New York City, and our efforts are focused on bringing resources directly into the neighborhoods with the greatest need in collaboration with trusted organizations like SBH Health System,” said Miguel Centeno, Vice President of Community Engagement at Healthfirst. “By reaching community members where they are, and connecting on a personal level, we are offering support that fits their everyday lives.”

“As clinicians, we see firsthand how education can change the trajectory of a patient’s health,” said Dr. Alen Sajan, endocrinologist at SBH Health System. “Together with Healthfirst, we’re helping patients understand their condition, take control of their diabetes, and prevent complications before they start. It’s about equipping families with the knowledge and confidence to make lasting health improvements and build healthier futures.”

Since 2023, Healthfirst has also brought the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Rethink Your Drink” program to neighborhoods across the city, encouraging thousands of New Yorkers to make healthy choices. At local events, community members learned how small changes can make a big difference in managing diabetes and improving overall health. By focusing on prevention, education, and community collaboration, Healthfirst continues to advance its not-for-profit mission one neighborhood at a time.

About Healthfirst

Founded more than 30 years ago by leading hospital systems in downstate New York, Healthfirst’s partnership model drives meaningful alignment and collaboration across the hospitals, health systems, and community providers in its network, advancing care quality and improving health outcomes for its members. Today, Healthfirst serves more than two million members in New York City, on Long Island, and in Westchester, Rockland, Sullivan, and Orange counties. Healthfirst offers market-leading products to suit every life stage, including Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, Long-Term Care, and Qualified Health plans. For more information on Healthfirst, please visit healthfirst.org.

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By reaching community members where they are, and connecting on a personal level, we are offering support that fits their everyday lives.