Press Release: Bernards Township Health Department Releases Community Health Assessment Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELEASES COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT RESULTS

Basking Ridge, NJ (August 17, 2026) – The Bernards Township Health Department has released the results of its Voices for Health Community Health Assessment, providing a snapshot of the health concerns, needs, and priorities identified by residents and community leaders across the six municipalities served by the Health Department, including Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, and Peapack & Gladstone Borough in Somerset County, and Chester Borough, Long Hill Township, and Mendham Borough in Morris County.

The assessment included various surveys, community focus groups, and key leader interviews conducted between Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. The findings identified three priority health needs for the service area: Mental Health, Senior Health, and Access to Care.

Mental health, particularly among young people, emerged as the defining health concern across the entire service area. Anxiety and stress were identified as top concerns, followed by depression and loneliness or social isolation. Nearly one in five respondents reported a time in the past year when they needed mental health care but did not receive it.

The assessment also highlighted senior health, particularly concerns related to social isolation and transportation. Adults 65+ identified cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease as top health concerns, with transportation being the most consistently named barrier to healthcare access among older adults and a key factor driving isolation and mental health concerns among seniors.

Access to care and healthcare affordability were ranked as a significant concern across several municipalities, with over 50% of residents worried about paying medical bills if they get sick. Navigating the healthcare system was also a top concern. Community leaders described a significant gap between the services that exist and what people know about.

Community strengths were also reported throughout the assessment. Most survey respondents received preventive care within the past year, were physically active, consumed adequate fruits and vegetables, and avoided tobacco and marijuana products. The service area benefits from a strong foundation including local proximity to healthcare facilities, active volunteer services, libraries, food pantries, and robust partnerships among community organizations.

The Bernards Township Health Department extends its appreciation to the residents, community leaders, organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and municipal partners who participated in the assessment and helped make this process possible. The findings will be used to inform future public health planning and programming throughout the Health Department’s service area.

The Voices for Health executive summary and survey results can be found at https://www.bernardshealth.org/health-promotion under “Voices for Health Community Health Survey 2025-2026”.

The Bernards Township Health Department is the contractual public health agency for the Boards of Health serving Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Chester Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Borough, and Peapack and Gladstone Borough

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