Morris County:
As a whole, Morris County residents seem to fare well in terms of chronic disease rates when compared to residents of other U.S. Counties. An exception to this statement is the rate of osteoporosis in the Medicare population. Additionally, while less than 8% of adults in Morris County have been diagnosed with diabetes, the rate for the Medicare population is much higher (26%) and continues to rise (and diabetes screenings of this population are inadequate). Data on racial or ethnic differences in chronic disease rates are not available at this time.
One in five adults in Morris County is obese. This data is not available at the sub-county level, nor are racial/ethnic breakdowns available. However, close to 1 in 5 (18%) of low-income preschoolers in Morris County are Obese as well. This rate puts Morris County in the bottom 25% of counties nation-wide, and is especially alarming since obese children are likely to remain obese as adults.
Data from the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment also showed a significant number (8.1%) of adults with pre-diabetes, of adults with arthritis (22%), and adults with asthma (4.6%).
Union County:
Union County residents seem to fare well in terms of chronic disease rates when compared to residents of other U.S. Counties. An exception to this statement is the rate of osteoporosis in the Medicare population. Additionally, just over 8% of adults in Union County have been diagnosed with diabetes, 1 in 3 of those enrolled in Medicare have diabetes (32.3%; diabetes screenings of this population are inadequate). Union County residents with diabetes have a higher risk of dying from the disease (compared to those with diabetes in other U.S. Counties). In Union County, people who are African American are almost twice as likely to die from diabetes compared to those in other ethnic groups.
Almost 1 in 4 (23.2%) adults in Union County is obese. This data is not available at the sub-county level, nor are racial/ethnic breakdowns available. However, close to 1 in 5 (19.3%) of low-income preschoolers in Union County are Obese as well. This rate puts Union County in the bottom 25% of counties nation-wide, and is especially alarming since obese children are likely to remain obese as adults.
Data from the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment also showed a meaningful number (6.8%) of adults with pre-diabetes, of adults with arthritis (22.8%), and adults with asthma (8.3%).
Sussex County:
As a whole, Sussex County residents seem to fare well in terms of chronic disease rates when compared to residents of other U.S. Counties. An exception to this statement is the rate of osteoporosis in the Medicare population. Additionally, while less than 9% of adults in Sussex County have been diagnosed with diabetes, almost 1 in 3 people enrolled in Medicare have diabetes (and diabetes screenings of this population are inadequate). In Sussex County, men are more likely to die from diabetes than women. Data on racial or ethnic differences in chronic disease rates are not available at this time.
Over 1 in 4 (25.8%) adults in Sussex County is obese. This data is not available at the sub-county level, nor are racial/ethnic breakdowns available. However, close to 1 in 6 (15.3%) of low-income preschoolers in Sussex County are obese as well. This rate puts Sussex County just above the bottom 25% of counties nation-wide, and is especially alarming since obese children are likely to remain obese as adults.
Data from the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment did not find significant numbers of adults with pre-diabetes, adults with arthritis, or adults with asthma.
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We asked leaders across North Jersey to share with us their perspective on what is working and what is not in producing healthy communities. Don't see your perspective here yet? Add your voice by answering a few brief questions.
What's Working?
- “Our focus is sustainable changes that will support Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity to reduce obesity and chronic disease.”
- “Free nutrition counseling to 5-10 people/week on cv, weight loss, diabetes, food allergies.”
- “[We] currently have over 25 organizations working to improve healthy living for Elizabeth for healthy nutrition, increased physical activity, school wellness and community health. These collaborations have also helped with our Diabetes Prevention work. We are currently reaching out to doctors and health centers to refer patients.”
- “[We do] monthly blood pressure screenings, quarterly blood glucose screenings.”
What Needs to Change
- “We have a large population of [clients] from India. These people are vegetarians. A large majority of these adults suffer from adult onset diabetes. I would like see specific programs addressing and educating them on controlling their diabetes.”
- “There are many health issues plaguing our communities including obesity, diabetes and certain cancers that are preventable, treatable and sometimes even reversed with proper diet and nutrition.”
- “We would like to see a focus on diabetes prevention.”
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