State's healthiest county is also its wealthiest
TRENTON -- For the seventh consecutive year, Hunterdon County tops the list of New Jersey's healthiest counties, thanks in large part to its highly-educated population, access to doctors, and low crime and premature death rates, according to a report released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Also for the seven consecutive year, Cumberland County ranked at the bottom of the list. This poor and rural county recorded the highest number of premature deaths, as well as smoking, teen birth and obesity rates, the report said.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute create the rankings by collecting the most recent data on 35 factors that measure quality of life and "quantity" of life -- the percent of the population that lives to 75 and older. The analysts examine education and income levels, crime rates, proximity to grocery stores, parks and community recreational facilities, the availability of health care, and tests that monitor water and air quality.
Hunterdon is NJ's healthiest county
Besides being New Jersey's healthiest county, Hunterdon is also its wealthiest county. Last year, it ranked second, behind Morris County, as the best place to raise a child, according to the annual Kids Count report.
Hudson County showed the most progress from last year, moving from 16th to 12th in the rankings, the report said. This largely urban county improved because the number of preventable deaths and hospital overnight stays declined, the pool of uninsured people also declined while the number of people screened for diabetes rose, according to the report.
Nearly 6,400 premature deaths could be avoided a year if every New Jerseyan had the same access to a healthy lifestyle, according to the report. The highest premature death rates were estimated in Essex and Cumberland counties, based on the how many people were unemployed, obese, habitual smokers and binge drinkers, among other factors.
Researchers want to see health officials and elected leaders use the analysis to identify ways people can be helped to live longer and healthier.
"The rankings data are only as valuable as the action it inspires and the lives it improves," said Bridget Catlin, co-director of the County Health Rankings. "Whether it's addressing health gaps between counties or the concentration of poverty in rural or residentially segregated communities -- targeting resources to the people and places in greatest need is essential to building a culture of health. The rankings are an important springboard for conversations on how to expand opportunity for all to be healthy."
Acting state Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett said said her office will hold a symposium next month focusing on health challenges in rural counties, noting that the least populated and developed counties fall to toward the bottom of the rankings. "Improving population health through prevention and wellness is the top priority of the New Jersey Department of Health in 2016," she said.
The healthiest counties in New Jersey are:
1. Hunterdon County
2. Morris County
3. Somerset County
4. Bergen County
5. Sussex County
6. Middlesex County
7. Monmouth County
8. Union County
9. Burlington County
10. Warren County
11. Ocean County
12. Hudson County
13. Mercer County
14. Passaic County
15. Cape May County
16. Gloucester County
17. Salem County
18. Atlantic County
19. Camden County
20. Essex County
21. Cumberland County
More information may be found at countyhealthrankings.org.
Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.