Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer speaks during a press conference at the Lou Sands Welter Center in Los Angeles, Monday, April 8, 2024, to announce the launch of a free two-year assistant teacher apprenticeship program. did. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Disparities in access to health care, housing, nutrition and education in Los Angeles County communities impact the health outcomes of residents primarily based on where they live, according to a new report released today by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. It is said that there is.
Data collected in DPH's Community Health Profile provides information on more than 100 indicators impacting the health and well-being of 179 communities within LA County. These profiles highlight the role of the local environment on health outcomes. This data is intended to facilitate improvements in community conditions and population health.
“Where you live has a huge impact on your access to a healthy environment and health-affirming resources,” DPH Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anish Mahajan said at a press conference Wednesday. “This is often due to long-standing patterns of disinvestment and discriminatory and racist policies and practices that have disproportionately affected Black and brown communities.”
DPH said this interactive index is the most geographically expanded to date. It covers most of the county, including incorporated and unincorporated areas, the Supervisory District, and neighborhoods and Congressional districts of the City of Los Angeles with a population of more than 20,000.
The report is categorized into 11 areas including demographics, social determinants of health, physical activity and nutrition, and housing and health.
The study shows significant geographic inequality across counties. For example, in eight communities life expectancy is below her 75 years. But in five communities he has been more than 85 years.
When it comes to chronic health conditions such as obesity, less than 15% of adults in 11 communities are obese, while more than 40% of adults in 26 communities are dangerously overweight, which is higher than other communities. It has more than doubled.
A look at recreational space in the region reveals 17 communities boasting more than 30 acres of healthy space per 1,000 residents. However, the report found that 15 communities had less than a quarter of an acre of recreational space available for every 1,000 residents.
Furthermore, nutritional disparities are higher when comparing 10 communities where less than 30% of the population lives near a supermarket or grocery store to 19 communities where more than 90% of residents live near such stores. it is clear.
You can learn more about access to nutrition in your profile. For example, in Athens/Westmont, the report found that 44% of adults are food insecure, meaning they live in households that cannot reliably buy or access enough food. . According to the study, these residents have poor access to fresh fruits and vegetables compared to Los Angeles County as a whole, with less than half of Athens/Westmont residents living near a supermarket or grocery store.
DPH also determined that educational opportunities are location dependent. In eight communities, more than 75% of children aged 3 to 4 receive pre-primary education, while in 12 communities less than half attend preschool.
Housing costs remain a region-wide issue. In 29 communities, more than 30% of households are severely burdened by housing costs, but in just 5 communities less than 15% of households report being severely affected by housing costs. was.
Such data can be used to provide residents, policy makers and health advocates with the information they need to understand and address the health needs of their communities, said DPH Director Barbara Ferrer. Ta.
“The Community Health Profile is a practical and powerful tool designed to guide our efforts toward a more equitable Los Angeles County,” she said in a statement. “These profiles will inform the efforts and system changes needed to address inequalities by providing clear, localized data.”
