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D621 - Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
Task 1 - Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
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A1: Community Description
Warren County is located in northwestern New Jersey and is the service area for the
Warren County Health Department, whose main office is in Oxford Township. The county is in a
primarily rural area of the Lehigh Valley region, where it borders the Delaware River to the west
and Pennsylvania to the northwest. Warren County comprises of rolling hills, fields of farming,
forests, and small-town communities. The people here acquire food from nearby farms, markets,
and programs, although the geography of some regions makes travel difficult for the inhabitants.
The major environmental hazards in the area include flooding near rivers and some past
agricultural chemical exposures. As of 2024, Warren County has 112,000 residents, comprising
mainly non-Hispanic White (74-83%) followed by Hispanic or Latino (about 11-15%), Black or
African American (about 6%), and Asian (about 3%) residents. The median age is 44 years,
where 19-22% are under age 18 and 18-21% aged 65 and older. Median household income
reaches about $100,869, with a per capita income of $48,600 and a poverty rate of 8.3-9% (U.S.
Census Bureau, 2025).
A2: Social Determinants of Health
The economic stability of Warren County residents is relatively high, thanks to the
combination of industries like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and commuting to work at
other places. The median household income is approximately $101,000, although unemployment
and low-income occupations are prevalent in rural areas. These factors affect people’s health
through stress, nutrition security, and their capacity to afford healthcare. The current low
economic stability within the area is associated with the greater the chances of developing
diseases like diabetes because lack of resources denies individuals access to healthy foods and
other preventive measures (Budge et al., 2025).
Educational levels in Warren County are relatively modest, with high school graduation
levels higher than the national average while bachelor’s degrees lag behind in certain rural areas.
Education levels impact health literacy and job opportunities. The residents with low educational
attainment have difficulties managing chronic illnesses and dealing with the healthcare systems
(Hill-Briggs et al., 2020).
Access to healthcare services is not uniform throughout the county. While hospitals and
service providers are available in centralized locations, the geographical layout of the area means
that people who live in rural regions face obstacles. The lack of adequate insurance coverage and
D621 - Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
Task 1 - Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health
, 2
A1: Community Description
Warren County is located in northwestern New Jersey and is the service area for the
Warren County Health Department, whose main office is in Oxford Township. The county is in a
primarily rural area of the Lehigh Valley region, where it borders the Delaware River to the west
and Pennsylvania to the northwest. Warren County comprises of rolling hills, fields of farming,
forests, and small-town communities. The people here acquire food from nearby farms, markets,
and programs, although the geography of some regions makes travel difficult for the inhabitants.
The major environmental hazards in the area include flooding near rivers and some past
agricultural chemical exposures. As of 2024, Warren County has 112,000 residents, comprising
mainly non-Hispanic White (74-83%) followed by Hispanic or Latino (about 11-15%), Black or
African American (about 6%), and Asian (about 3%) residents. The median age is 44 years,
where 19-22% are under age 18 and 18-21% aged 65 and older. Median household income
reaches about $100,869, with a per capita income of $48,600 and a poverty rate of 8.3-9% (U.S.
Census Bureau, 2025).
A2: Social Determinants of Health
The economic stability of Warren County residents is relatively high, thanks to the
combination of industries like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and commuting to work at
other places. The median household income is approximately $101,000, although unemployment
and low-income occupations are prevalent in rural areas. These factors affect people’s health
through stress, nutrition security, and their capacity to afford healthcare. The current low
economic stability within the area is associated with the greater the chances of developing
diseases like diabetes because lack of resources denies individuals access to healthy foods and
other preventive measures (Budge et al., 2025).
Educational levels in Warren County are relatively modest, with high school graduation
levels higher than the national average while bachelor’s degrees lag behind in certain rural areas.
Education levels impact health literacy and job opportunities. The residents with low educational
attainment have difficulties managing chronic illnesses and dealing with the healthcare systems
(Hill-Briggs et al., 2020).
Access to healthcare services is not uniform throughout the county. While hospitals and
service providers are available in centralized locations, the geographical layout of the area means
that people who live in rural regions face obstacles. The lack of adequate insurance coverage and
