(January 26, 2010) -- Warren County’s Community Health Improvement Coalition (CHIC) today launched a survey of health issues for residents ages 18 and over, with responses being sought until mid-March.

 “We’re surveying knowledge, attitudes and behaviors,” said coalition Chairwoman Donna Rue, Community Health Educator for the Warren County Health Department.

The survey includes sections on nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, tobacco and drug use, mental health awareness, transportation use and issues, access to health care, general health status of the county, and quality of life issues. Due to a large amount of information being gathered, the questions have been divided into two surveys, with the second survey to be conducted later this spring.

An additional survey aimed specifically at youth ages 12 to 18 is being developed and will be released in late February.

 Survey results will help the county to improve health efforts, such as programs to assist people to make better food choices, develop better eating habits, improve driving behavior, increase physical activity and take other steps to lead healthier lives. Health planning might involve developing community policies or environmental improvements such as safer playgrounds, walkways to school and roads, or creating opportunities for community gardens or mobile vegetable vendors.  The results also will aid area agencies in developing local statistics needed when applying for grants and funding assistance, and help them reassess priorities for distribution of services.

 “There are so many avenues we’re looking at – it’s not just disease,” Rue said, noting that prevention plays a big part in health education and health promotion.

“This survey is only a piece of the work the coalition is doing,” Rue said, adding the county is also looking at statistics for diseases, chronic illnesses, accidents, crime, lack of services and other factors that reflect the health of the community.

The coalition includes representatives from the county Health, Human Services, Planning, and Public Information departments; Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Warren County’s Division of Family and Community Health Sciences; Hackettstown Regional Medical Center; Warren Hospital; United Way of Warren County; NORWESCAP; Center for Prevention Resources; the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center; Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce; community volunteers; and other local social services agencies,

Organizers hope to get at least 1,000 responses to the survey. “We’re aiming to get as many people as possible,” Rue said, adding, “The more responses we get from residents, the more accurate picture of Warren County we will have.”

The survey takes about 10 minutes to do online, and participants remain anonymous.

The survey is available online by clicking here, with printed copies available for those without internet access or who do not want to complete the survey online. To receive a printed copy, please contact Donna Rue at the Warren County Health Department at (908) 475-7963, or member agencies of the CHIC coalition.

Members of the public are welcome to join the coalition, which meets every other month at the county’s Wayne Dumont, Jr. Administration Building in White Township.  Anyone interested should contact Donna Rue at (908) 475-7963.