By Donald Gilpin

For the second straight year, Princeton has been designated as a Mayors Wellness Campaign Healthy Town for the state of New Jersey. 

The commendation, announced last month by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI), cited Princeton as one of 17 cities and towns in the state that “go above and beyond to improve health and wellness in their communities through innovative programs in areas such as exercise, healthy eating, and mental health education and awareness.”

The NJHCQI commended Princeton’s success “in offering education, strategies, and tools that residents can use in their daily lives,” noting that “community events such as a health fair provide an opportunity to partner with community organizations and share resources with residents.”

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda expressed his gratification with the designation and the town’s support for the program. “The response from the public and community partners has been great,” he said. “Our Health Department staff are the moving force behind this effort.”

He continued, “We have done art-related events with senior citizens, book readings with young children, a number of book discussions around mental health — a large variety of activities. The library has been very active in this program also. We feel this is another way to reach out to the community and provide one more service to many of our residents.”

In his acceptance of the honor, Freda applauded the dedication and collaboration of staff, residents, local businesses, and community partners. He added, “Together we have prioritized physical fitness, fostering a culture of well-being that extends far beyond individual efforts,” noting Princeton’s “ongoing commitment to building a healthier, happier, and more resilient community for generations to come.”

Princeton Deputy Administrator and Director of Health Jeff Grosser cited the Princeton Public Library and the Recreation Department along with other local partners for their collaboration on health initiatives. “It is our community’s passion, commitment, and willingness to actively participate that have propelled the Mayors Wellness Campaign to new heights, enriching the lives of individuals and families throughout Princeton,” he wrote in an email.

“These collective efforts have transformed our shared vision of a healthier, happier Princeton into a tangible reality,” he continued. “We have made significant strides towards fostering a culture of well-being within our community to promote health equity and ensure access to physical and mental health care services for all.” 

He went on to mention a range of health-related initiatives in Princeton spurred by the community’s “collaborative synergy.”

In looking to the future, Grosser highlighted prevention as a key priority, along with continued effective collaboration and improving access for all. “To keep Princeton on this healthy trajectory, we must continue to work on improving access to mental and physical health care, but not forget a key public health strategy, prevention. Prevention must be a central thought in our public health programs and in the minds of community stakeholders.”

He added, “We are fortunate in Princeton to have numerous community organizations that understand our diverse population and what the highest priority concerns are. From there, we need to regularly communicate and work together on the most effective strategies to improve residents’ overall health.”