Primary Care and Rural Health

The Department of Health operates the Office of Rural Health to improve healthcare in New Jersey's rural areas.  Our approach is tailored to each rural community’s’ unique infrastructure, resources, and environment, not a "one size fits all".

We are a statewide resource for rural health concerns and foster available and accessible health services for rural New Jerseyans.  We also partner with the Rural Health Advisory Committee and other programs to leverage limited resources and expand collaborative partnerships locally, statewide, and nationally. There are five essential functions that we focus on:  

• Collecting and disseminating rural health information.
• Coordinating resources and activities statewide.
• Providing technical assistance to meet rural community health needs.
• Encouraging recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural areas.
• Strengthening state and federal partnerships.

New Jersey Rural Health Needs Assessment

In support of our mission, our office collaborated with the Rutgers School of Social Work to develop the New Jersey Rural Health Needs Assessment.  This is a report that reveals the health and social concerns, issues and recommendations for people who live in rural areas.

This year the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health conducted NJ Rural Health Weeks, a statewide celebration from September 16 through September 30, 2018.  Please see Health Week Summary.

Our office defines a rural community as an area within the state that has a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile. The federal government however, uses multiple definitions. “Rural” encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area. Whatever is not urban is considered rural. 

• Click here for a listing of New Jersey's rural communities as defined by New Jersey (as seen in red).
  
  
• Click here for a listing of New Jersey's rural communities as defined by the federal government.

For further information, please contact the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health at 609-292-1495.