The Trenton Times published the following article on March 30, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
Editorial: Bright prospects for the state of health in Mercer County
By Times of Trenton Editorial Board
on March 30, 2014 at 6:42 AM, updated March 30, 2014 at 6:45 AMTwo recent reports are shedding light on the state of health care in New Jersey — from consumers to official oversight of for-profit hospitals.
Mercer County ranks eighth for the overall health of its residents, thanks in part to better medical care than much of the state — though many do have relatively unhealthy physical habits, according to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s new County Health Rankings.
The usual culprits — obesity and a lack of physical activity — are weighing the county down in the standings. But Mercer, specifically the city of Trenton, also contends with poverty and crime rates that contribute to early mortality, which the report defines as younger than 75.
At the same time, the study found that Mercer residents did better than the state average in seeking preventive care such as mammograms and other diabetes screenings.
And while health challenges may be most pronounced in Trenton, the availability of resources has increased exponentially with the work and coordination of the Trenton Health Team and its efforts to extend health care to every corner of the city.
The reinvigorated Henry J. Austin Health Center and the several other clinics in the city are bright spots in the quest for a healthier population.