Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission (NWBRHC) works hard to protect and improve the health of the communities we serve. Public health touches every aspect of our lives, often behind the scenes, helping to stop diseases, encourage healthy living, and make sure we have safe places to live and play. Here’s why public health is essential to all of us:
What is Public Health?
Public health focuses on the science of keeping people safe and healthy by stopping problems before they start. Public health creates the right conditions for everyone to live their best life, including:
- Making sure we have clean air, water, and food.
- Watching for and controlling the spread of diseases.
- Teaching people about healthy habits and behaviors.
- Being ready to help during emergencies.
What Does a Health Department Do?
New Jersey law requires every town to make sure public health services are provided. State law (N.J.S.A. 26:3-1) requires that every municipality have a board of health or another approved way to carry out public health work. This helps ensure that important services—such as disease prevention, food safety, and health education—are available in every community.
This does not mean that every town must run its own health department. Instead, each municipality must make sure its residents receive public health services that meet state standards set by the New Jersey Department of Health.
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) sets public health rules for the state, provides guidance and support to local health departments, and makes sure programs meet required standards. Local health departments and regional health commissions provide these services directly to residents.
Learn more at the New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association
How Do Towns Meet this Requirement?
In New Jersey, local health programs must follow the Public Health Practice Standards of Performance to help keep communities healthy and safe. A municipality can meet this requirement in one of the following ways:
- By running its own local health department, with a health officer and staff
- By sharing services with another health department
- By joining a regional health commission, such as the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission
New Jersey has 565 municipalities, but far fewer independent health departments. Many towns work together or share services. As a result, about 104 local health departments serve communities across the state, helping provide consistent public health services while using resources wisely.
What Towns Does Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission Serve?
Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission (NWBRHC) serves as the local health department for Emerson, Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Hillsdale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Montvale, River Vale, Saddle River, Township of Washington, Waldwick, and Westwood. Our role is to protect and improve the health of the communities we serve.
We do this by providing essential public health services and working with community partners to address the factors that influence health, including:
- Inspecting restaurants and food establishments to ensure food safety (learn more about Retail Food Inspections HERE)
- Providing vaccinations to prevent disease
- Offering health education on topics such as nutrition, mental health, and substance use prevention (visit our Health Education page HERE)
- Collaborating with local organizations to improve access to healthcare, housing, and other supports
The Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
The 10 Essential Public Health Services
The 10 Essential Public Health Services provide a plan for how we address these health challenges, from learning about community needs to creating policies and making sure people get the help they need.
Public Health: A Collective Responsibility
A healthy community needs everyone to work together. Here’s how you can help:
- Stay Informed: Learn about the programs and services we offer. Subscribe to our email list HERE.
- Get Involved: Join community events, support health initiatives, or volunteer. Visit our Calendar of Events HERE.
- Practice Healthy Habits: Stay up-to-date on vaccines, wash your hands, and make good lifestyle choices.
- Speak Up: Share your ideas and concerns so we can improve our services. Contact us HERE.
Public Health Contributions in Action
Public health efforts have made a real difference throughout history, such as:
- Lowering smoking rates through education and laws.
- Reducing childhood obesity with better school meals and activity programs.
- Stopping disease outbreaks quickly to protect our most vulnerable residents.
Together for a Healthier Future
Public health is a team effort between the local health department, community members, and other local, state, and national organizations. We value your feedback. Please contact us at any time with questions, suggestions, or concerns. Working together can build a stronger, healthier community where everyone can thrive!
