The analysis shows that there is a clear relationship between social determinants of health such as employment status, income and nutrition, and poor health status. The three poorest counties in the state are Cumberland (median household income - $49,537), Essex ($54,860) and Atlantic ($55,456). These counties are also home to three of the four highest unemployment rates in the state. The statewide average unemployment rate is 4.4 percent, while Cumberland (6.6 percent), Essex (5.7 percent) and Atlantic (5.4 percent) rank at, or near, the bottom of the state.

These three counties also exhibit the highest rates of patients with chronic conditions presenting in hospital emergency departments. In relation to population, the statewide average use rate for patient visits where chronic conditions are present is 129.62 visits per 1,000 population. Cumberland county’s use rate is almost double the statewide average at 237.29. Atlantic county is 202.15 and Essex county is 166.00.