Hillsborough has been recognized by the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) as a “Healthy Town” for 2019.
“Earlier this year, I announced that Hillsborough Township was recognized as a 2019 Healthy Up-and-Coming town. The inaugural Healthy Township Reception was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have since received our plaque and banner,” Mayor Doug Tomson said in a prepared statement.
Mobile fresh food markets, community walks, weight loss challenges, healthy corner stores, outdoor yoga, bike trails, health fairs and other programs helped New Jersey communities earn recognition through the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute’s annual Mayors Wellness Campaign “New Jersey Healthy Town” designation.
Seven communities participating in the MWC – a program of the Quality Institute, in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities – were named 2019 Healthy Towns. Another 12 towns were designated as 2019 Healthy Towns to Watch, and five were designated as 2019 Healthy Town Up and Coming, according to the statement.
Each year, communities participating in the MWC complete a comprehensive application outlining the research they’ve done to identify their community health needs, explain how they have organized their local MWC committee, and highlight the actions they’ve taken to make their communities healthier places to live, work and play.
Hillsborough first joined the MWC in 2006, pledging to increase awareness about healthy living. In 2020, Hillsborough will look at more programs and initiatives to encourage healthy alternatives for both employees and residents. As a result of key initiatives such as community health screenings and the focus on benefits of incorporating walking into a healthy lifestyle, Hillsborough has been named a 2019 Healthy Up-and-Coming Town, according to the statement.
Hillsborough used the Somerset County Community Health Improvement Plan to assess community needs and plan for programs including health screenings made available to residents through the Hillsborough Health Department, including blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, chiropractic assessments and referrals for more comprehensive health screenings; and a collaboration with community partners to bring health education about the benefits of walking and physical activity to residents, according to the statement.
In 2020, Hillsborough will focus on gaining more community engagement and resident participation to build upon the over 4,000 residents reached in 2019, according to the statement.
“Staying active and living a healthy lifestyle is important to all of us in Hillsborough Township. As I mentioned previously, we are honored to have this recognition,” Tomson said.
To learn more about the MWC, visit www.njhcqi.org/MWC or contact Julie DeSimone at jdesimone@njhcqi.org.
