Population Health Assessment: The African Americans in Brooklyn

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Table of Contents

Biophysical Considerations
Psychological considerations
Physical environmental considerations
Socio-cultural considerations
Behavioral considerations
Health system considerations
Reference

Biophysical Considerations

The African Americans in Brooklyn comprise of 35 percent of the total population. The actual population of the blacks is 862, 864. The females are 50.2% of the population. On age distribution, persons below 6 years represent 6.8%, 6-19 years represent 14.5%, 20-64 years represent 69.6% and those above 64% represent 9.1% of the total population. The infant mortality rates stand at 4.5 deaths per a thousand live births.

This is a registered decrease from 6.4 deaths per a thousand live births in 2000 to the current 4.5 deaths per thousand live births. The death rate per 100,000 of the population stands at 18.27 as at 2010. The average life span of the population stands at 48 years (Brooklyn Center 2010).

In the last five years, the morbidity rates for cancer, HIV, and other chronic ailments have been on the rise. For instance, the incidence rate for cancer has risen from 22 per 1000 per year in 2004 to 28 per 1000 per year in 2010. However, the prevalence rate has decreased from 20 per 1000 per year in 2004 to the present 18 per 1000 per year in 2010.

The mortality rate for cancer has increased from 32 per 100,000 to 48 per 100,000 from 2004 to 2010. As indicated in the government data, 89.9 percent of the population had full immunization at the age of 9 months. Besides, 92.1% of the population that were eligible for immunization was immunized at the age of 12 months (Brooklyn Center 2010).

Psychological considerations

This community is characterized by a constant population growth rate of 4%. At present, almost the entire population is literate and this is projected to hit the 100% mark in the near future. The most significant event in the history of the black-Americans in Brooklyn is slavery before freedom as black revolution swept this city.

Most of the adults in the population had firsthand experience of discrimination, and unequal resource allocation. The most common mode of interaction within this community is the informal communication, politics, trade, and cultural events. The community network is comprised of the formal and informal educated persons that fall into different social classes within the population class (Brooklyn Center 2010).

The main sources of stress in this community are absolute poverty, unplanned settlement, and competition for limited social amenities such as piped water, gas, and electricity. Besides, poor sanitation and insecurity have also been blamed for the multiple stresses in this expansive community.

Physical environmental considerations

The Black American community within Brooklyn is spread evenly within New York boroughs. Brooklyn boasts of extensive settlement with each cultural group occupying different estates. Specifically, this community occupies Brownville neighborhood. The population density of Brooklyn is 34, 920 per square mile.

The average house unit density is 13,180 per square mile. There are 234,000 households occupied by the African American within this city. The average size of each household size is 2.8. The main safety hazards in Brooklyn community are the numerous chemical spills, contamination as a result of poor solid and liquid waste management, and water, soil, and air pollution from industries (Brooklyn Center 2010).

The main source of community water supply in this community is the Brooklyn Aquifer System runs from New York. Water originates from the East River and is piped to the community. Brooklyn community has well maintained solid and liquid waste disposal and management authority.

There are treatment plants for solid and liquid wastes besides recycling plants. Garbage is collected periodically for disposal by the authority. However, the nuisance factor is the unpredictability of garbage collection and repair of sewage systems. The main impending disaster in sewage management is the leaks from damaged pipes which sometimes take long to repair, thus exposing the residence to contagious diseases.

Socio-cultural considerations

The local authorities and the police represent the arm of the government in this community. For instance, the Eastern Brooklyn police post provides security to this expansive community. The unofficial leaders are community policing committees, business leaders, and religious leaders who offer leadership during crisis and cultural events.

This community is very active in politics and the majority of them are members of the Democratic Party. The minority group in this community is the Hispanics who represent 10% of the entire population. The main language spoken by this community is English. However, some members speak French, Spanish, and German besides English.

Due to poverty level of 20%, the average income is at $3000 per month. The household income is $32,135 while median income per family is $36,188. Per capita income is $16,775. On an average, the community literacy level is 80%. Besides, those with collage education account for 35% of the population.

Seventy percent of the members of this community are Christians while 20 percent Muslims. The other percent is distributed across other religions. The community boasts of different cultural skills in cinema, literature and theater. Among the notable renowned cultural centers include the Brooklyn Museum, BMA musical awards, several artists, and filmmakers (Brooklyn Center 2010).

The employment rate stands at 69 percent. Those informal sector accounts for 49 percent while those in private sector accounting for 51%. The main means of transportation are rail and road. There are bus and shuttle services that cover all the quarters of the community. The social services include affordable education, entertainment, and parks and recreation, centers. The major employers are the government, local authorities, and private businesses. Occupational hazards include workplace injuries, infections, and overwork, and possible death.

Behavioral considerations

Consumption patterns: Due to low income, the consumption patterns of this community align with basic needs. Despite this, the majority of this population is aware of healthy dietary and is at the forefront of promoting healthy eating habits. The alcoholic consumption rate stands at 32% with drug abuse more prevalent among the young adults. Tobacco smoking is prevalent among the young male adults and is associated with 10 deaths per 10,000 persons.

The main leisure activities include music, social sporting events, entertainment, and neighborhood talent shows. The main health hazards posed by these recreational facilities include injuries, cuts, infections, and deaths. Contraceptive use has been embraced by this community due to intensive campaigns on the need for family planning. On an average, 65 percent of the females have used contraceptives in their life (Brooklyn Center 2010).

Health system considerations

There are several community health programs run by members of this community. The community is conscious of their health, birth control, healthy eating and living habits, and adaptation of preventive health policies. The major health services offered are affordable hospital and clinical treatment, free TB and HIV centers, free post illness recovery support, and mobile clinics.

Most of the clinics within this community offer free prenatal care besides affordable emergency services such as ambulance, fire, and accident treatments. Reflectively, the government of the United States finances most of the healthcare services. These services have been subsidized and are currently afforded by the members this community.

Reference

Brooklyn Center. (2010). Quick Facts from the US Census Bureau. Web.

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