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?

• “Clients access to healthcare-hospital [through] informative workshops provided by various organizations.”
• “Affordable Care Act implementation--insurance and CHNA requirement for hospitals.”
• “Recent reports published by the feds, the state, and Rutgers indicates that enrollment with the affordable care act in New Jersey has been successful including enrollments by Spanish language people, a high risk group in Morris County.”
• “Our program is successful because we are going to the place of worship and not only going through a curriculum but actually asking for policy changes in the different places of worship. Thus, really tailoring different programs in a specific voice that appeals to the different segments of our community. The other factor that helps our community and their health is to have services in their own language. The increase in cultural competency in the delivery of services in the past few years has helped. Although it still needs to be improved there definitely has been a shift for the better.”
• “Agencies are working together with limited resources to provide the best care for the population of homelessness, victims of violence and mental health.”
• “The Affordable Care Act's improved access to coverage for acute and chronic health problems.”
• “A consistent pattern of awareness by all of our staff based on continued education and effective communication among the medical practitioners, patient navigators and the behavioral health department to ensure the patient's needs (not only medical) are met. These efforts result in better health outcomes for this patient.”
• “High insurance coverage.”
• “The major impact I have seen is the registration for the affordable care act.”
• “Many segments of our population have access to care, regular doctor contact, insurance, etc.”

• “Collaborations working toward healthy communities; access to health screenings.”

• “A community health needs assessment that reforms health system on gaps of care and opportunities to address them.”

• “Increased development of coalitions to increase awareness of health-related issues, e.g., screenings, increased activity, resources (e.g., caregivers coalition).”

• “Health screenings, fairs, senior health centers.”

• “More proactive activity by insurance companies and ACOs to their customers to monitor health and improve patient compliance.”

• “Community sponsored screenings; active health board/coordinator; immigration program; newsletters; excellent senior program; terrific recreational facilities and programs for all groups; active community based organizations helping those in need.”

• “[We have] good community clinics.”

• “Community health day; educational classes on health and diabetes throughout the year; African American wellness coalition (initially about breast cancer).”

• “The local Y's are working with patients with pre-diabetes in an effort to reduce their risk of progression to diabetes. Our practice is working with several Y's and engaging our patients into these groups.”

• “Organizations like the Morristown Hospital, Zufall Health Center, and the Partnership are trying to reach out to the population without access to health care through seminars, workshops and screenings, providing a new way to get the much needed access to the health care system. It's not easy to provide information of the community of Morris County, given the fact that it is one of the most diverse communities in New Jersey and it consists of multiple minorities that vary from town to town.”

• “We have Health Fairs that provide medical care.”

What Needs to Change

• “Would like to see greater awareness of the programs and services available to individuals from sources which may not be considered "usual" providers.”
• “Consistent and effective communication amongst the local healthcare organizations concerning health issues, updates and latest innovative methods to treat patients alike is a must to improve the level of communication between healthcare providers and patient in order to improve health outcomes.”
• “I would like to see a system that connects medical, public health and social service efforts to best support the residents of our communities and to create sustainable change.”
• “Assist people to enroll in the affordable care act insurance opportunity.”
• “The greatest barrier to improving the health of Morris County residents remains the lack of willingness of health care providers to accept the payments offered through alternative forms of healthcare payments. The Affordable Care Act has help fund additional insurance plans, such as HMOs, however most providers in Morris County refuse their payments.”
• “Public Awareness of access to health care and healthy activities.”
• “Adequate insurance coverage and affordable health services is still something many of our families struggle with on a daily basis and more so when there is an emergency situation. in the Hispanic community there are specific health problems affecting the community and we should be focusing our efforts to combat these on a larger scale and not with one or two programs. I guess more local awareness of what this looks like in our very own communities.”
• “Some homeless overuse emergency services (ambulance).”
• “Education and information in the right languages and the right levels will help too. Also if we provide screenings must provide solutions.”

• “Improved access to care, particularly specialty services.”

• “We need to address advance care planning in the community, especially in nursing homes.”

• “[We need] increased transparency/availability of resources, decreased redundant/separate efforts; resources to reach out to those who are "shut in" with decreased mobility and access to health care. [We need] fewer uninsured patients.”

• “[We need to] address access: reach out to those that really need to take advantage of the activities, opportunities, and programs.”

• “People suffer from Information overload: people need help interpreting and changing behaviors.”

• “[We need] improved communication regarding programs available to people.”

• “Reaching Seniors who are living at home in need of companionship/socialization.”

• “Transportation to and from medical care for seniors is a challenge. On demand medical transport is often not available or too expensive.”

• “We would like to see more Educational Programs, specifically for minorities without access to health care, and in their native languages.”

• “[We need] more health care providers, especially in the northern part of the county. West Milford, Ringwood, Wanaque, Pompton Lakes area.”

• “Rural, low-income, uninsured/underinsured, women - Mobilizing the community would be a great start. Providing more access and easier access to healthcare.”

• “I would like to see continuity of practice for local pediatricians, easier access to medical facilities and training for parents on the developmental stages of young children.”