The Highland Park Board of Health, staffed by community volunteers and student representatives, works in close cooperation with the Mayor, the Borough Council, the Board of Education, and the Middlesex County Department of Public Safety and Health to address the public health needs of Highland Park residents. In accordance with state-wide minimum standards, the Board implements state laws and regulations relating to public health in the Borough.

The Board of Health monitors public health issues that may affect our locality and responds to health-related queries from our residents. The Board may pass health ordinances, such as those defining public health and noise nuisances and regulating age-of-sale of tobacco/smoking products. Members play a role in developing and disseminating health information and services to our community. The BOH is committed to social justice which, while a broad statement, has clear public health impacts.

Some of our recent activities include:

• Coordinating with the Borough on responses to the coronavirus pandemic
• Promoting vaccinations for all vaccine-preventable infections
• Working to reduce tobacco and nicotine dependence in the community
• Addressing the public health perspective on many urgent social, health and environmental issues:
  • Racism/Equity/Violence
  • Climate Change
  • Mental Health
  • Expansion of Health Insurance/Healthcare Access
• Working with our high school student representatives on health issues related to that cohort, including later school start times for older students, increasing need for physical education, addressing nicotine and vaping use.
• Working with Sustainable Highland Park for Earth Day and other activities
• Working with the Mosquito Extermination Commission and the Center for Vector Biology to increase awareness of and prevent vector-borne illnesses
• Working to address opioid addiction and drug disposal access.

The Borough contracts with Middlesex County to provide an Inspector for Highland Park who oversees important services, such as food service inspections and investigation of complaints related to health hazards including lack of heat in rented dwellings. The Inspector reports directly to the Board.

Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. Members of the public are welcome to join our meetings.  For meeting dates and access details, check the Borough Calendar.

For more public health information, check out our social media accounts:

• Facebook
• Instagram 

For general questions, contact Annette Sorbino, Board of Health Secretary, at asorbino@hpboro.com/732-777-6013 or Jesse Crosson, Board of Health Chairperson, at  jesse.crosson@gmail.com. We welcome input from the residents of Highland Park