Hunterdon County Ranked the Healthiest in New Jersey

Hunterdon was ranked the healthiest county in New Jersey based on a study conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. In this year’s ranking released Wednesday, Hunterdon is followed, in order, by Morris, Somerset, Bergen, Sussex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Union, Ocean and Hudson, in the top 10.

“We are pleased for the nearly 130,000 residents that Hunterdon County has been named the healthiest county in New Jersey," said Patrick Gavin, president and CEO, Hunterdon Healthcare System. 'This is not merely a reflection of the economic status of the community, but of the abundance and accessibility of quality health care services in Hunterdon County."

“Ultimate credit should go to the residents of Hunterdon County who are taking seriously the importance of good health in their lives," Gavin said. "Hunterdon Health is honored to support every level of health care need by each and every member of our community.”

Hunterdon has the state's lowest ratio of residents to primary care physicians, 820 to 1. In contrast, Salem's ratio of residents to primary care physicians is 2,722 to 1.  Hunterdon ranked first in health outcomes, such as length of life, quality of life and social economic factors; and second in health factors, such as obesity, drinking, smoking and teenage birth rate.

Overall, New Jersey was ranked higher in health outcomes than the national average.