New Jersey health centers received a total of $1.6 million as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced nearly $105 million in funding for quality improvement efforts at 1,333 health centers across the country.

Announced as part of national Health Center Week, the money is earmarked for initiatives in the following categories: Improving Quality of Care, Increasing Access to Care, Enhancing Delivery of High Value Health Care, Addressing Health Disparities and Achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home.

The Health Resources and Services Administration also released new data compiled from health centers through its Uniform Data System, providing an update on the primary care services being provided to patients. In 2016, nearly 26 million people used an HRSA-funded health center for primary healthcare including:

• One in three people living in poverty;
• One in ten U.S. children 17 years or younger;
• One in six U.S. rural residents; and
• More than 330,000 U.S. veterans.