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One of the main purposes of the Wayne Health Department is to prevent the premature onset of disease and disability, and to help all residents achieve healthier, more productive lives. The health department is committed to maintaining, protecting, and promoting the health of its residents through organized health promotion and disease prevention efforts. These efforts are based on statewide standards set forth by New Jersey's Department of Health and Senior Services.

Several codes and statutes make up the "state-wide standards" established by the State to monitor health departments. One of the most important is known as "Recognized Public Health Activities and Minimum Standards of Performance for Local Boards of Health in New Jersey". Mandates established within "Minimum Standards" include the following core requirements:

1) To develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion activities in the seven required areas (i.e., Accident Prevention, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Control, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Nutrition, Smoking Cessation, Physical Fitness and Exercise). To help meet this requirement, the Wayne Health Department has contracted the services of a health educator from Chilton Hospital's Community Health Department. By partnering with Chilton, Wayne has been able to provide excellent services to its residents at a fraction of the cost.

2) To perform environmental health and safety inspections of: all establishments that serve or sell food; bathing places; campgrounds; youth camps; public health nuisances; etc..

3) To develop and implement programs that focus on preventing the spread of communicable diseases (i.e. investigation of reportable diseases; provision of immunization programs, control of rabies and zoonosis outbreaks; as well as programs to control the spread of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.

4) To provide affordable and accessible Maternal and Child Health services. These programs are developed specifically to address the needs of infants and preschool children (i.e. well baby clinics; childhood lead poisoning screenings, and programs that improve pregnancy outcomes). Space within the health department is made available on a regular basis to St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital for a low cost Obstetrical Clinic and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center for the provision of a WIC (Women, Infant and Children) Clinic.

5) The provision of Adult Health Services is another core requirement. To address this issue, the Wayne Health Department provides a variety of low cost cancer screenings for men and women as well as programs to help identify individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and various other health concerns of older adults.

In addition to these core requirements, mandated by the state, the Wayne Health Department offers other screenings based on the assessed needs of the residents of its community. Listed below are the services available through the health department to residents of Wayne Township:

Women’s Awareness – A female cancer screening clinic for the prevention and early detection of cervical, uterine, breast, and colorectal cancers. Screenings include: blood pressure evaluation, urinalysis, hemmocult test, breast examination, and pap smear.  Health education information is also available. Clinics are held on a regular basis throughout the year for a fee of $35. Appointments are necessary.  The HPV test is available for an additional $45. 

For Men Only – A male cancer screening program for the prevention and early detection of prostate, testicular, bladder, and colorectal cancers. This screening is a cooperative effort between the Wayne Health Department and an urologist affiliated with Chilton Hospital. Services provided during the clinic include: blood pressure evaluation, urinalysis, hemmocult screening, physical examination performed by an urologist, and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test provided by a phlebotomist from Chilton Hospital. Health education information is also available. The fee for this program is $25 plus an additional $28 for the PSA blood work. The exam and PSA blood work are both required in order to participate in this screening.  Pre-registration is required.

Blood Pressure Screening – Free blood pressure screenings offered on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of each month from 3 to 4 p.m.  No appointment required. 

Dental Health Clinic – The Dental Health Clinic is provided to children of Wayne Township, ages 5 through 19 years of age, who do not have dental insurance. Clinics are held every Wednesday morning throughout the year excluding the summer months. The services of an experienced child friendly dentist are contracted for this program. The fee for this service is $10.

Senior Dental Health Clinic – The Senior Dental Health Clinic is provided to adults of Wayne Township who over the age of 60, who do not have dental insurance.  Clinics are held every Wednesday morning throughout the year excluding the summer months.  The services of an experienced dentist are contracted for this program.  The fee for this service is $5.

Child Health Conference (Well Baby Immunization Clinic) – A program offered to Wayne Township infants and pre-school children who qualify financially (as determined by a financial screening of the family). Services included in the Well Baby Clinic are: a full examination of the child and age appropriate immunizations performed by pediatrician, Dr. E., Eisenstein.  Periodic hemoglobin, urinalysis, lead screening, vision, hearing, and TB tests are also conducted. At each clinic session parents are counseled regarding growth, development, nutrition, and safety.  Child Health Conference Clinics are offered the 1^st Friday of each month.  Lead Poisoning Prevention is provided.

Lead Screenings - Lead screenings are offered to all children of Wayne Township. The venous blood screenings is performed by phlebotomists at Chilton Hospital and is offered free of charge. Elevated results are sent for further testing. If the levels remain elevated, a sanitarian from the Health Department, trained in lead abatement, will visit the home of the affected child in an effort to pinpoint the source of lead. Lead education information is available to all who attend this screening.

W.I.C. – Women, Infants, and Children Program – The W.I.C. program serves residents on the third Tuesday of every month and is facilitated by St. Joseph’s Hospital. Participants receive free supplementary food, nutrition, education, and health care. The families who participate in this program must meet specific financial criteria (I.E.: an income of 180% of the poverty level). For more information, call 973-754-4575.

Free Immunization Program – The Free Immunization Program, held in June and September, provides free vaccines to Wayne’s school-aged children in need of immunizations. School nurses and various other agencies refer the children. Immunizations are administered by a physician who lives or works in Wayne Township. Nursing Services for the Chronically III – Direct nursing services to chronically ill, homebound, residents of Wayne are provided free of charge (or for a nominal fee of up to $15, depending upon the residents’ ability to pay) by the public health nurses for individuals who have no third party insurance.

Flu Clinics – Flu clinics are offered during the fall “flu season”. An area physician supervises immunizations. A minimal fee is charged for this service. Free with Medicare Part B.

Diabetes Screenings – Screenings to help detect undiagnosed diabetics are included in all health department clinics via the use of a diabetic risk assessment form, administered by the public health nurse(s), and/or a urinalysis to detect elevated glucose levels.

Blood Chemistry Profile – The Blood Chemistry Profile is offered in April and in October during the Health Department’s annual health fair. This screening provides a complete cardiac risk profile while measuring the levels of 23 different elements found within the blood including: white and red blood cells, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol (LDL and HDL ratios), iron, etc.. This screening is instrumental in detecting various diseases in their early stages. The Blood Chemistry Profile is a venous blood screening, performed by Medical Laboratory Diagnostics for a fee of $22. The following additional testing is available only to those who are having the Chemistry Profile:  PSA - $17, Lyme Disease - $19, Blood Type - $12, TSH - $16, Hepatitis B - $19, Hepatitis C - $19, Homocysteine & High Sensitive Cardiac CRP - $26.

Wayne Township’s Annual Health Fair – The Wayne Health Department sponsors an annual health fair along with co-sponsors Chilton Hospital & St. Joseph’s Healthcare System.  The fair provides an excellent opportunity for area residents to learn about the variety of services available in the community.  Each year, more than 50 different health care professionals attend.  Health information and screenings are provided.  Attendance is free and open to all ages.  You do not need to be a Wayne resident to attend.

The Social Services Division of the Wayne Health Department administers the Work First New Jersey Program.  Assistance is provided to eligible single adults, or married couples without dependent children, with cash benefits.   These benefits are limited to a lifetime of 60 cumulative months.

NJ/SHARES –  (New Jersey’s Statewide Energy Assistance Fund) offers temporary assistance to individuals, who are not eligible for other programs, with their gas and electric bills. 

S.H.I.P. – (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) – provides free assistance with health insurance to people ages 65 plus or disabled on Medicare. SHIP addresses questions about Medicare benefits and claims, supplemental medical policies, and long term care insurance. 

For further information or assistance in any one of these programs, email or call the Welfare office at (973) 694-1800 Ext. 3281.

It is important to recognize that in order to attain the goals and objectives set forth by the health department collaboration and "partnering" with many agencies, organizations and groups outside the health department is necessary. The health department believes that by collaborating with other agencies they will be better able to provide cost effective, timely and knowledgeable health services.