Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Seeks to Address Social Determinates of Health and Eliminate Barriers to Care

Hospital’s second healthcare assessment provides ‘snapshot’ of resident needs

(Paramus, NJ) – Paramus, NJ – – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center released the findings from its 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) along with the resulting Implementation Strategy. These two documents detail the community’s healthcare needs and New Jersey’s largest hospital’s three-year plan to address those needs.

The CHNA was made possible through a collaborative effort among the Bergen County Department of Health Services, the Community Health Partnership of Bergen County, the county’s seven acute care hospitals, including Bergen New Bridge.

“The CHNA is critically important to our mission as it provides a snapshot of what the community’s healthcare needs are and how our work is impacting those in the community who need our care the most,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “The results of this assessment help us to better tailor the services we provide to continue to work on breaking down barriers to quality care and expanding access.”

Data collected during the CHNA also shine a light on the social determinants of health that can impact a community’s overall well-being. Social determinants can include access to transportation, safe housing, educational and job opportunities, income, access to nutritious foods and exercise, literacy skills and more.

“As a safety-net provider, Bergen New Bridge recognizes how the underlying social determinates of health may affect disparities in health care outcomes and access,” said Visconi. “We have committed to going beyond the Medical Center itself and bringing healthcare directly to those who need it most, particularly those who have historically been underserved and disenfranchised.”

“We are committed to diversifying, developing, and expanding access to quality healthcare for all. Our focus and our efforts will continue to help remove barriers to care,” said Julia Orlando, Chair, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Board of Trustees.

As a result of the last CHNA, Bergen New Bridge developed a plan to enter communities directly to provide healthcare and other services. Two satellite locations were opened in Bergenfield and Paterson, staffed with healthcare professionals from the Medical Center. A Community Health Department was also created, allowing Bergen New Bridge to have a presence at community events around the county and beyond.

To learn more about Bergen New Bridge Medical Center or to view the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, please visit www.newbridgehealth.org.