By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Hillsborough Township is thinking healthy with recognition, programs and activities all designed to promote healthier living for residents.
Hillsborough Township was recently named the first municipality in New Jersey to receive the Gold Start! Fit Friendly Company status from the American Heart Association (AHA), which recognized the township’s commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
A plaque recognizing the township’s achievements was presented to the Township Committee at the Oct. 9 meeting.
The Start! program from the AHA is a national movement that encourages companies to embrace a culture of physical activity, as well as heart-healthy living through walking. Fit Friendly is a recognition program for companies and municipalities that adopt these principles and institute them during the daily workday.
According to Peter Cary, communications director for the AHA, the gold designation Hillsborough received means that the township meets certain criteria in the daily lives of the residents, including increasing healthy eating options at work, offering physical activity support and promoting a wellness culture.
In the future, Mr. Cary said, the township can apply for the next step, a platinum rating, which has more requirements for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including demonstrating several outcomes, such as noticing a decrease in the amount of sick days employees must take.
With the recognition from the AHA, the township gains access to program resources, such as a fitness tracker and walking program, in addition to materials about healthy living to give to employees.
The township which found its committee members wearing athletic sneakers when they accepted their Fit Friendly award has already taken several measures to try and improve the health of its employees and residents. One such example is its participation in the Mayors Wellness Campaign, a statewide project to introduce awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle.
According to Mayor Ferrera, the program offers such opportunities as blood pressure screenings and an e-newsletter with tips for making healthy choices, all provided to the residents once a month.
In addition to these two programs to promote healthy living, the township will host its annual Adult Health Screening Clinic at the municipal building on South Branch Road on Oct. 27.
According to Siobhan Spano, deputy health officer and organizer of the clinic, the event will offer prostate tests for $20 to determine cancer risks, as well as blood tests to check cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and blood count for $10. Ms. Spano said Hunterdon Medical Center volunteer nurses will also be on hand to check blood pressure.
”Those who would like to take the tests need to register with the Health Department,” she said. Blood samples will be sent to Hunterdon Medical Center, and results will be sent to Ms. Spano, who will contact residents when they are available.
In addition to the tests, Ms. Spano said there will be tables set up around the multi purpose room with information on healthy living; a representative from the Lupus Foundation will speak about prevention; and the Natural Medicine and Rehabilitation group of Bridgewater will perform body composition and flexibility analyses.
”We have had this fair for more than 20 years,” she said. “We are trying to give people awareness of prevention and what can be done to prevent disease.”
For more information on the health fair, or to register for one of the tests, call the Hillsborough Township Health Department at 908-369-4313. Registrations will be accepted until Oct. 24.
For more information on the Fit Friendly program or the Mayors Wellness campaign, visit the township’s Web site at hillsborough-nj.org.
