The American Cancer Society Camden City Cancer Initiative was launched on February 22, 2006 at the City Council chambers at City Hall, Camden, NJ.
ACS Camden City Cancer Initiative
Camden City Cancer Initiative Fact Sheet
What is this initiative?
Camden City Cancer Initiative Leadership Council is designed to eliminate the unequal burden of cancer in Camden.
Who are the partners?
The American Cancer Society has partnered with and will work closely with healthcare, business, government, and community leaders who are willing to make a solid commitment to addressing the cancer issue in Camden.
Why have we started it?
Data suggest the Black and Hispanic communities in Camden bear a disproportionate burden of poor health and cancer due to a wide range of complex circumstances involving poverty, little or no insurance, and barriers to low literacy, language, and cultural beliefs.
What’s in it for you as a leader?
This initiative is an opportunity for you and your organization to make a concrete and visible difference and will clearly demonstrate that you care about the undue burden of cancer in the City of Camden. As a leader in your community, your commitment and participation will help us save lives. We have the vehicle to make a difference, you have the fuel!
For More Information
E-mail or call Plyshette Wiggins at Plyshette.Wiggins@cancer.org or call (800) ACS-2345, visit http://www.cancer.org
Camden City Cancer Initiative: 2006-2007: The Facts!
As of 2003 estimates, the City of Camden, New Jersey has
• 80,089 people of whom 53.2% are African Americans and 38.7% are Hispanic compared to Camden County with 18.1% African Americans and 9.7% Hispanic.
• 34.6% of the residents are under the age of 18 years old compared to 26.8% in the County
• 7.6%, i.e. 6,090 are over the age of 65 years old, compared to 12.5% in the County
The City, has:
• 55.7% of its residents living in the same house for the past five years compared to 63.0% in the County.
• 39.6% of the residents have a language other than English spoken at home compared to Camden County with 15.6%
• 35.5% of the residents live below the Federal poverty line compared to the County at 10.4%
• 51.0% of residents over the age of 25 have a high school diploma compared to 80.3% in the County
Therefore in comparison to Camden County the City of Camden has:
• three times the number of persons who are African Americans or Hispanic
• three and half times the number of persons living below the Federal poverty line
• almost 50% of the residents will have moved within 5 years.
• less than 1 in 3 persons over 25 years of age have completed a high school diploma in the City compared to 4 out of 5 persons in the County
• two and a half times more residents who do not have English as the first language in their homes
References: http://www.fedstats.gov; 2000 Census; CAMConnect, Camden Facts, 2003, http://www.camconnect.org; http://www.cdc.gov