Local leadership is taking center stage in the fight for a healthier New Jersey. The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, has officially announced its 2025 Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) “Healthy Town” winners.
This year’s awards mark a historic milestone for the program, with a record-breaking 45 communities earning the “Healthy Town” designation. An additional 12 municipalities were named “Healthy Towns to Watch,” while four others were recognized as “Healthy Town Up-and-Coming.”
The Mayors Wellness Campaign encourages municipal leaders to move beyond traditional governance by actively addressing the “social determinants of health”—the environmental and social conditions that dictate long-term wellness.
Winning towns were recognized for implementing local initiatives that increase access to:
- Physical Activity: Improved parks, walking trails, and community fitness programs.
- Nutrition: Farmers markets, community gardens, and food security initiatives.
- Mental Health: Support groups and local awareness campaigns.
- Safe Environments: Infrastructure improvements that make neighborhoods more walkable and secure.
“Each year, the Mayors Wellness Campaign continues to raise the bar for what local leadership can accomplish,” Julie DeSimone, vice president of community health at the Quality Institute said. “The record number of designations reflects a deep commitment to prioritize health in ways that are both meaningful and measurable.”
Becoming a “Healthy Town” is more than just a ceremonial title. Participating communities must complete a comprehensive application that proves they have:
- Conducted Research: Identified specific health needs within their unique populations.
- Organized Committees: Established a local MWC committee to oversee health programming.
- Executed Action: Demonstrated tangible steps taken to help residents “live, work, age, and play” in a healthier environment.
Mike Cerra, executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, praised the collaborative effort. “We are proud to partner with the Quality Institute to support this important work and to celebrate the towns leading the way,” Cerra said.
The tiered system allows the Quality Institute to track the progress of New Jersey’s 564 municipalities as they grow their wellness infrastructure:
- Healthy Town (45 Winners): The top tier for established high-impact programs.
- Healthy Town to Watch (12 Winners): Mid-tier towns showing consistent growth and innovation.
- Healthy Town Up-and-Coming (4 Winners): New or revitalized programs building a foundation for future success.
The full list of winners and the specific local initiatives that earned them these honors can be found on the Quality Institute’s website.
