East Harlem community

Part I Conduct a Community Assessment

#7 Safety –

How are fire and public safety issues handled?

In East Harlem, most residents reside in multi-family high rise buildings and the area has the second highest concentration of public housing in the United States therefore, special concerns exist in relation to fire safety since high density occupancy increases the probability of fires. Most buildings in this community were constructed in 1939 or earlier and are not up to date with fire safety codes. In the attempt to improve building safety and prevent fires, upgrading the buildings to meet the requirements of modern-day fire safety codes is done by The NYC Housing Department. Asbestos, lead pipes and paint, old electrical wiring are top issues when addressing fire safety in these old tenement buildings.

Fire safety codes and fire drills help to protect residents. It is recommended that residents of apartment buildings know their nearest exits, keep exits clear, smoke alarms be installed, all buildings must have portable fire extinguisher, fire hose and other means of preventing and extinguishing fires.

In the unfortunate event of a fire, 911 is called and dispatchers send FDNY units to the scene where they help extinguish the fire. When a fire alarm goes off elevators go out of service. Exits are marked with lighting that do not depend on electricity.

The American Red Cross has an on call 24/7 team that helps assist those affected by fires whether it to provide financial assistance to get necessities or a hotel in the mean while. The Red Cross also helps beyond the scene of the disaster they also follow up with affected victims to make sure they are okay moving forward and assist in making the transitioning smoother.

How safe is the community?

The issue of safety is a relative issue and depending who you ask within the community answers may vary. However, East Harlem is reported to be a welcoming location for immigrants and entrepreneurs because the barriers to entry are low such as: rent is cheap compared to other surrounding neighborhoods, public transit connectivity exits and this is area is a multi-cultural community. Historically the neighborhood is plagued with the residual vestiges of poverty and this is the cause of some of this community’s continual struggle with quality of life issues such as crime.

According to CompStat data by NYC Police Department 23^rd Precinct reveals that the overall crime rates in East Harlem covering the 23^rd and 25^th Precincts dropped by 70% from 1993 to 2010. Car thefts dropped 86% and burglaries by 81%; Robberies and murders down by 74% and 72% respectively, led the neighborhood’s decline in violent crimes. Recently, there has been a uptick in top safety areas of rape and shootings. Shootings increased by 72%. Gang activity in the community is still a problem and is attributable to youth gang activities and increases in narcotic arrests.

Explain the top safety issues.

Some of the top safety issues in the East Harlem community include rape, congested sidewalks that aren’t safe for kids, the need for improved street sanitation and street lighting.

Analyze the impact of the crime/safety data on the health of the community

Violence eg: gun violence, shootings can cause premature deaths. Children and adolescents who are exposed to crime and violence are more likely to develop behavioral and mental issues. Those persons living in a community with high crime will be less likely to engage in physical activity like exercising outdoors etc. and can lead to poorer physical health. In neighborhoods like East Harlem with increased violence the mental health of the community is also affected.

#8 Recreation –

Describe the effects of recreation on promoting healthy lifestyles.

Recreation can lower stress and mental depression. The more available recreational activities a community has to offer the healthier its residents will be.

Describe recreation that is available/or not available to residents of the community

Recreation that is available for East Harlem residents include. Two points of access to the bike paths, fields, tennis courts, golf greens and other recreational facilities on Randall’s Island.

Thomas Jefferson Park and Pelham Fritz Recreation Center in Marcus Garvey Park both contain outdoor pools, indoor recreation, and computer resource facilities and they offer fitness classes and dace for teens under 18. Valuable recreational opportunities for children in Harlem are provided by organizations like StreetSquash and Harlem RBI. The greatest untapped open space in East Harlem owned by New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Passive Open Spaces (lawns, plazas, beaches, community gardens offer places for residents to relax outdoors.) 122 acres of open space ; 39 community gardens are open to the public and available to residents of East Harlem. Passive Open Spaces in East Harlem include the Harlem Meer and DOT Greenstreets at the entrance of RFK Bridge are not accesibile tousers for activites like pickinicking, sun bathing etc.

93% of residents are in 5 minute walking distance to a pocket park (less than 1 acre)

82% of residents are within a 5 minute walking distance to a neighborhood park (1-20 acres)

84% of residents are within a 10 minute walk to large park (greater than 20 acres)

Total open space 168 acres

Attractions in the East Harlem neighborhood include: National Black Theatre and Triboro Plaza, El Museo del Barrio and the Museum of the City of New York

Neighborhood events:  116^th Street Festival, Dance of Giglio Festival, Three Kings Day Parade, Mexican Independence Festival, Uptown Restaurant Week, Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Block Party

Part II- Health Statistics

Explain the most prevalent health issues and leading causes of death. (Be sure to provide supporting evidence of this information.)

According to ____ in East Harlem, the most prevalent health issues are obesity and substance abuse.

33% of adults in the community suffer with obesity. Substance abuse (Drug and/or alcohol-related hospitalizations) hospitalization rated are more than double the rates of the rest of Manhattan and NYC. Third highest rate of alcohol related hospitalizations and the second-highest rate of drug related hospitalizations (NYS Department of Health and Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, 2012)

Leading causes of death:

Heart disease

Cancer

Diabetes mellitus

Lower respiratory diseases

Flu/Pneumonia

HIV
Stroke

Hypertension

Drug-related

Alzheimer’s disease

Infant mortality and premature deaths is 6x higher than the rate on Upper East Side

Discuss any social, cultural, or health determinants that impact the data.

Area Demographics:

46% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

14% White

31% Black or African American

7% Asian

Population age:

Under 5 years 6%

5-14 years 12%

15-24 years 16%

25-44 years 31%

45-64 years 23%

65+ years 12%

Average life expectancy 76 years

Health problems include:

Adults living in East Harlem are more likely to consume sugary drinks and are less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and get physical exercise compared to other residents of Manhattan

Access to Health Care:

24% of the population of East Harlem has no insurance

11% go without needed medical care

Teenaged girls in Eat Harlem are more likely to get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series compared to other teens in NYC (53% of girls age 13-17 received all 3 doses of HPV vaccine series)

East Harlem adults are more likely to get HIV test than other adults in NYC (76% of adults in East Harlem tested positive for HIV)

East Harlem has the highest rate of hospitilizations due to stroke (401 per 100,000 adults) compared to other Manhattan and NYC rates

The rate of psychiatric hospitalizations are the highest in the city (2,016 per 100,000 adults)

East Harlem has the highest hospitalization for asthma among children. Housing-related allergens are the main cause and by addressing these asthma triggers like second hand smoke, mice, cockroaches can help decrease this problem.

For every 1 supermarket in East Harlem, there are 17 bodegas. Bodegas are less likely to have healthy food choices than supermarkets. East Harlem is home to eight NYC farmer’s market.