Neurological Diseases affect the brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. If something goes wrong with a part of the nervous system (brain, spine or nerves), a person could have trouble moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing, or learning.

Use this page to review data on the built environment, see images and stories about this topic, hear voices from our key informant survey and add your voice to the journey.

Key Indicator

Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia: Medicare Population

Compared to NJ Counties, Union has a value of 7.0% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 6.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 7.0%. Compared to NJ Counties, Union has a value of 7.0% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 6.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 7.0%.

County: Union

Compared to NJ Counties, Sussex has a value of 5.0% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 6.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 7.0%. Compared to NJ Counties, Sussex has a value of 5.0% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 6.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 7.0%.

County: Sussex

County: Morris

(Compared to NJ Counties)

The NJHC data committee is collecting data to help us develop shared plans for improving community health. Take a minute and review the indicators, images, stories and resources associated with the neurological diseases.

Key Indicators Report

Morris County:

Despite the large number of conditions that fall into this category (over 600), population data at the county level is currently only available for three conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia and Stroke. In Morris County, 11.8% of those on Medicare were treated for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Although this value is decreasing from 2012, Morris still performs worse than 75% of counties nationwide. However, on the positive side, the age-adjusted death rate due to Alzheimer’s is lower than most other counties in NJ.

Almost four percent (3.9%) of Medicare beneficiaries in Morris County have been treated for a stroke; this puts Morris County in the lower 50% of US counties on this measure. However, the age-adjusted death rate for those who suffer a stroke (or other Cerebrovascular Disease) in Morris County is better when compared to other NJ Counties (30 deaths/100,000 population); differences by an individual’s gender or race/ethnicity were not observed. This meets the HealthyPeople 2020 target of reducing stroke death rate, but not the NJ2020 target (28.6 deaths per 100,000 population).

Data from the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment also showed that 1% of adults reported having suffered a stroke.

Union County:

Despite the large number of conditions that fall into this category (over 600), population data at the county level is currently only available for three conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia and Stroke. In Union County, 11.8% of those on Medicare were treated for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Although this value is decreasing from 2012, Union is still in lowest 25% of counties nationwide. However, on the positive side, the age-adjusted death rate due to Alzheimer’s is lower than most other counties in NJ.

Almost five percent (4.8%) of Medicare beneficiaries in Union County have been treated for a stroke; this rate is higher than 75% of US Counties. Additionally, the age-adjusted death rate for those who suffer a stroke (or other Cerebrovascular Disease) in Union County is worse compared to other NJ Counties (34.8 deaths/100,000 population). Also, the rate is higher for Males than Females, and for Black individuals. This meets the HealthyPeople 2020 target of reducing stroke death rate, but not the NJ2020 target (28.6 deaths per 100,000 population).

Data from the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment also showed that 3% of adults reported having suffered a stroke.

Sussex County:

Despite the large number of conditions that fall into this category (over 600), population data at the county level is currently only available for three conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia and Stroke. In Sussex County, 9.4% of those on Medicare were treated for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Although this value is decreasing from 2012, Sussex still performs worse than 50% of counties nationwide. Even more concerning is the age-adjusted death rate due to Alzheimer’s, which is higher in Sussex County than in 75% of NJ Counties (31.1 deaths/100,000 population).

Over four percent (4.2%) of Medicare beneficiaries in Sussex County have been treated for a stroke; this rate is higher than 75% of US Counties. Additionally, the age-adjusted death rate for those who suffer a stroke (or other Cerebrovascular Disease) in Sussex County is worse compared to other NJ Counties (33.9 deaths/100,000 population). This meets the HealthyPeople 2020 target of reducing stroke death rate, but not the NJ2020 target (28.6 deaths per 100,000 population).

Data from the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment also showed that 2% of adults reported having suffered a stroke.

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Key Informant Survey

We asked leaders across North Jersey to share with us their perspective on what is working and what is not in producing healthy communities. Don't see your perspective here yet? Add your voice by answering a few brief questions.

What's Working?

“Posters for stroke awareness, newsletters from CES-Stroke awareness, CPR/First aid courses.”

What Needs to Change

No one has shared anything yet in this category. Be the first!

To download the full Key Informant results, click here.

Member Resources

Have a program, initiative or strategy that is working to reduce cancer risk in North Jersey? Share it on our Key Informant Survey, and we'll get it listed here.