Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Chester Borough, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Chester Borough, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Chester Borough, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933The total project costs for the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state contributing $7,983,309, district officials said.Vianella Burns, Patch StaffMENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — Next month, residents will be asked to vote on one question on the ballot, looking to spend a total of an additional $26 million to fund critical improvements and updates around the West Morris Regional High School District.The vote, whic...
Vianella Burns, Patch Staff
MENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — Next month, residents will be asked to vote on one question on the ballot, looking to spend a total of an additional $26 million to fund critical improvements and updates around the West Morris Regional High School District.
The vote, which was approved by the Board of Education in December, is scheduled for March 12.
According to district officials, if voters approve the referendum, both schools would receive significant similar upgrades, including air conditioning in all classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen upgrades, and roof and parking lot repairs
"West Morris Central and West Morris Mendham are sources of community pride for the towns that send to the district. Taking care of the infrastructure at both schools is a top priority for the Board of Education and the communities it serves," the district said.
The $26 million plan also includes updates to both schools' technology labs and the field house shower and storage facilities. The West Morris Mendham culinary arts room would be refurbished to improve student learning and meet student interest, and the public address system would be upgraded to match West Morris Central's.
According to district officials, West Morris Regional is in the unique position of presenting voters with a plan that would decrease school debt taxes by about 35 percent.
Because the district is nearing the end of its debt payments from the last referendum, which was passed in 2004, if the current referendum is approved, taxpayers will pay less than they did before.
As a result, taxpayers would receive an average 35 percent reduction in the school debt part of their property tax bills.
The entire cost of the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state providing $7,983,309 to lower local school debt taxes. The state tax dollars, which residents of Morris County have already paid to the state, will only be given to the West Morris Regional High School District if voters approve the referendum.
Here is the tax breakdown for Mendham and Chester:
Community: | Average Assessed Value | Annual Cost Replacement Debt | Cost Savings Per Year |
Chester Borough | $520,000 | $66 | -$35 |
Chester Township | $660,000 | $123 | -$64 |
Mendham Borough | $695,000 | $121 | -$63 |
Mendham Township | $940,000 | $126 | -$66 |
At West Morris Mendham, the projects include:
Due to funding limits, neither the school's halls nor field houses will be air-conditioned, nor will West Morris Central's auxiliary gym. The district stated that they will utilize separate funds to add air conditioning to the field buildings in the future.
If voters pass the referendum, the district will be able to proceed with the next round of selling bonds and seeking competitive construction bids, which could begin as early as summer 2024 for certain projects.
Work would be scheduled in coordination with the district to keep the level of disruption to a minimum.
The projects are expected to be completed over three to four years.
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Officials said taxpayers would get a reduction in the school debt part of their property tax bills if the issue passes.Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff|Updated Mon, Mar 11, 2024 at 3:20 pm ETMORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Residents in the West Morris Regional High School District head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a measure to fund improvements at the two high schools.Registered voters in Chester Bor...
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff
|Updated Mon, Mar 11, 2024 at 3:20 pm ET
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Residents in the West Morris Regional High School District head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a measure to fund improvements at the two high schools.
Registered voters in Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and Washington Township are eligible to cast their ballots.
Voters will be asked if the school should issue about $26 million in bonds, to fund improvements and updates around the district. Officials said taxpayers would get a reduction in the school debt part of their property tax bills if the issue passes, compared to the current bond issue that taxpayers are paying off.
If residents approve the referendum, both schools would receive significant similar upgrades, including air conditioning in all classrooms, cafeteria and kitchen upgrades, and roof and parking lot repairs.
Polls are open Tuesday, March 12 from from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All mailed ballots must be postmarked, or turned in to a local drop box, by Tuesday as well.
According to district officials, West Morris Regional is in the unique position of presenting voters with a plan that would decrease school debt taxes by about 35 percent. Because the district is nearing the end of its debt payments from the last referendum (passed in 2004), taxpayers will still pay less than they did before if the current referendum is approved.
The $26 million plan also includes updates to both schools' technology labs and the field house shower and storage facilities. The West Morris Mendham culinary arts room would be refurbished to improve student learning and meet student interest, and the public address system would be upgraded to match West Morris Central's.
The total project costs for the referendum would be $26,047,276, with the state contributing $7,983,309 if the voters approve it, district officials said.
Early voting ended Monday at 3 p.m.
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Here is a list of how much these top-paid Mendham and Chester school superintendents and principals made in 2022-2023. Vianella Burns, Patch StaffMENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — It's becoming more common for superintendents, principals, and educational administrators state-wide to earn more than $150,000 including in Mendham and Chester, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Education.Patch pulled salary data...
Vianella Burns, Patch Staff
MENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — It's becoming more common for superintendents, principals, and educational administrators state-wide to earn more than $150,000 including in Mendham and Chester, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Education.
Patch pulled salary data that includes superintendents, principals and assistant principals, curriculum directors and other employees in administrative positions within New Jersey schools.
Overall, more than 3,200 administrators made $150,000 or more during the 2022-23 school year — about 600 more than the year prior.
In Morris County, Superintendent of the West Morris Regional High School District Michael Ben-David topped the list of earners with a salary of $254,383 followed by the Morris Hills Regional School District's Superintendent James Jencarelli with $253,893.
Ben-David recently left the West Morris Regional High School District for another job last month and will be replaced by Barbara Sargent, the former superintendent of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District.
The highest earner for the Mendham Township School District last year was Superintendent Salvatore M. Constantino, who earned a salary of $232,085. The Superintendent of Schools for the Mendham Borough School District, Mitzi Morillo follows close behind with a salary of $230,625.
In Chester, the highest earner was Christina Van Woert, the Superintendent of Schools for Chester Township School District. According to reports, Van Woert earned $230,928 last year.
Here are the top earners in Mendham and Chester school administration, along with their current or most recent position and most recent salary. All data comes from the New Jersey Department of Education:
Former Governor Chris Christie imposed a $175,000 salary cap for superintendents in 2011. In 2017, the Christie administration increased the maximum base pay for superintendents to $191,584.
Then, in 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that repealed the salary cap for superintendents while also establishing guidelines for school-executive contracts to limit or standardize bonuses and other perks.
School executive pay has long been a controversial subject in both local school district budgeting and state policy. Some of the state's highest-paid administrators received five-digit raises last year. But when the position's pay was capped, many districts struggled to maintain experienced superintendents, according to a 2019 analysis from NJ Spotlight.
Superintendents, principals and other school leaders throughout the nation have faced intense scrutiny for COVID-19 management and from politically charged movements to overhaul or eliminate certain subjects and topics from the curriculum. But those obstacles have also fallen to teachers and other rank-and-file school employees. And the pandemic exacerbated New Jersey's shortage of teaching candidates.
With reporting from Michelle Rotuno-Johnson/Patch staff.
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Barbara Sargent will start the new school year as the superintendent at West Morris Regional High School District. Vianella Burns, Patch StaffMENDHAM, NJ — A new Superintendent of Schools will be taking over the West Morris Regional High School District next year after the departure of Michael Ben-David this past year.During the July 24 Board of Education meeting, Barbara Sargent, who’s been with the Parsip...
Vianella Burns, Patch Staff
MENDHAM, NJ — A new Superintendent of Schools will be taking over the West Morris Regional High School District next year after the departure of Michael Ben-David this past year.
During the July 24 Board of Education meeting, Barbara Sargent, who’s been with the Parsippany Troy Hills school district since 2017, officially took over as superintendent for the upcoming year.
West Morris Regional serves students from Mendham Borough and Township, Chester Borough and Township, and Washington Township. According to state data, the district served approximately 2,300 students during the previous academic year.
Ben-David, who had been working within the West Morris Regional High School District since 2015, accepted a similar position at the grades K–12 Tenafly School District, which became effective at the end of this past school year.
Sargent comes to West Morris as an experienced educational leader, having previously served as Superintendent for the Readington Township (PreK–8) School District and the Parsippany–Troy Hills Township (PreK–12) School District.
She has also published work on women's leadership, literacy instruction, and effective leadership practices in state and national educational journals.
Prior to the new school year, Patch spoke to the new superintendent to learn more about her plans for the West Morris Regional community in 2023 and beyond.
When discussing her transition to West Morris, Sargent stated that her previous experiences have helped her adapt quickly.
"I’ve had the good fortune to work in several Morris County school districts over the years. I was the principal of Dickerson School in Chester many years ago, led numerous curriculum initiatives as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Madison School District, and –most recently – was the Superintendent for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District," Sargent said.
"Morris County has some incredible educational leaders and I enjoy positive working relationships with all of them. The Superintendents of the West Morris PreK-8 districts are an amazing group and I’m excited to partner with them to support all of our students," she continued.
Prior to his departure, Sargent stated that she met with Ben-David to better understand district goals, critical issues, and organizational matters. "The Board of Education members have been very gracious in sharing feedback with me about the community and assisting with a smooth transition," she added.
When asked what most excites her about joining the West Morris school community, Sargent stated that the impressive reputations of both West Morris high schools drew her in.
"The faculty are exemplary and care deeply about engaging students in thoughtful learning. Any leader would be pinching herself at the prospect of working and learning alongside folks like these," Sargent said. "This will also be the first time in my career where my focus will be exclusively on a high school setting, and I’m excited to understand the successes we’ve had and explore new opportunities to further enrich our students’ experiences."
During the school year, Sargent said she hopes to shadow a high school student at each school in the fall so she can better understand their schedules and get to know the teachers in the district.
"Each day has been a chance to meet someone new, talk with students, and learn about West Morris – and that’s super rewarding. I also know that school communities benefit from clear and consistent communication, and I’m planning regular methods of sharing the great happenings in the high schools with our parents, staff and residents," Sargent said.
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This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch...
This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.
From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing a shortcut for hundreds of vulnerable communities to get easier access to funds for climate resiliency projects.
FEMA announced Wednesday the initial designation of 483 census tracts as Community Disaster Resilience Zones. The list includes several areas in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
“The priority is to assist communities that are at the highest risk to climate impacts and have the most need for assistance,” Victoria Salinas, FEMA associate administrator for resilience, said during a call with reporters Wednesday.
In southeastern Pennsylvania, parts of Philadelphia, the city of Chester in Delaware County, and Lower Oxford Township in Chester County made the cut. An area along the riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware and parts of Wildwood and Atlantic City, New Jersey were also included on the list.
The zone designations come from the Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022, which cleared the way for targeted assistance to places harshly impacted by the effects of climate change.
FEMA chose the initial zones using several factors, including expected annual losses of people, buildings, and agriculture as a result of natural hazards, measures of social vulnerability, and current community resilience. The initial set of designated census tracts reflect the top 50 census tracts with the highest risk for all natural hazards nationwide, as well as the top 1% for each state, FEMA officials said.
“FEMA considered natural hazards risk from a national and a state level, while accounting for factors that reflect disaster impacts felt by a diversity of communities — coastal, inland, urban, suburban, and rural communities,” Salinas said.
Rebecca Yurkovich, sustainability and resilience manager for Delaware County, told WHYY News in a statement that the first step towards building resilience is “defining which communities face the greatest risks.”
“The designation of the City of Chester as a federal Community Disaster Resilience Zone takes that first step by considering both the socioeconomic and geographic conditions which make the City particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” Yurkovich said. “While this designation reminds us that there is work to be done, it offers new opportunities for funding and resources, which can put the City of Chester and Delaware County on a path to a more resilient future.”
No new money is tied to the initial Community Disaster Resilience Zone designation. But federal agencies — including FEMA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Department of Transportation — will use the zones to prioritize grant funding and to increase the federal cost share on projects in or primarily benefiting the zones, FEMA officials said.
“Our goal … is to ensure the most at-risk and most in-need communities have the support and resources they need to improve their resilience,” Salinas said.
Designation as a Community Disaster Resilience Zone will also unlock FEMA’s technical assistance in planning resilience projects and navigating funding opportunities.
FEMA officials emphasize that the zones can also be used by nonprofits, philanthropies, businesses, and others to identify where to focus funding or resilience efforts.
Philadelphia city officials say they’re still learning about FEMA’s methodology for creating the zones and designation’s implications. Within the city, the new zones cover the flood-prone neighborhood of Eastwick, a strip of South Philly along the Delaware River, and a few dozen blocks of North Philly.
“Disasters do not affect everyone the same way and particularly, historically marginalized communities suffer the greatest consequences and have the most difficulty building resilience,” Jeff Kolakowski, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Emergency Management, wrote in an emailed statement. “Knowing these facts about our communities, the City seeks and will use all opportunities made available to increase hazard mitigation and build resilience to natural, human-caused, and technological disasters. We see this designation as a positive influence for future opportunities.”
The initial designation as a Community Disaster Resilience Zone lasts five years.
FEMA plans on adding more areas to the list in the coming months, and updating it regularly based on shifting risks and needs. Officials say the agency will take into account feedback on the initial designations.