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RWJBarnabas Health on Friday said it partnered with Somerset-based dfree Financial Freedom Organization to provide content and curriculum for health system employees. dfree uses a variety of tools to educate, motivate and support people who make the choice to achieve and sustain financial freedom. It offers a 12-step training program designed to help individuals become debt-free, avoid financial pitfalls, and create savings and investment plans to ensure better financial futures, including funding their retirement dreams.

According to RWJBarnabas, New Jersey is the third wealthiest state in the nation, yet nearly 3.4 million of its residents cannot afford to meet their basic needs. Over 1.9 million people live in homes that are too expensive, overcrowded or lack adequate plumbing and 919,000 New Jerseyans go to bed hungry each night.

When people cannot afford food, heat or housing it significantly affects their health. Research demonstrates that social, economic and environmental factors comprise 80 percent of all health outcomes, according to RWJBarnabas.

“As one of the largest private employers in New Jersey, we are committed to ensuring that our 34,000 employees have the tools they need to create and sustain financial stability,” said Martin Everhart, chief human resources officer at RWJBarnabas Health.

RWJBarnabas Health said in a statement that it is dedicated to creating a healthier New Jersey by addressing not only clinical factors but also the social, environmental and economic conditions that affect health. “Working closely with diverse local, state and national partners, RWJBarnabas Health is co-designing long-term, sustainable, evidence-based programming to address the social determinants of health through our social impact and community investment commitment.” the statement said.

“We are excited about our partnership with dfree and look forward to our continued efforts to build more equitable, economically stable, and healthier communities together,” said Michellene Davis, executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer at RWJBarnabas Health who drives the system’s Social Impact and Community Investment Practice.