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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jessica M. Robbins, PhD, Ambulatory Health Services, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 500 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, (215) 685-6426, jessica.robbins@phila.gov, Robert R. Hodge, PhD, MPH, MS, Ambulatory Health Services, Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health, Health Care Center Nine, 131 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144, and Paul Clements, PhD, RN, CS, College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, 2502-Marble NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5688.
Background. In response to concerns raised by residents of Passyunk Homes, a public housing project in Philadelphia, about possible health effects associated with environmental contamination, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) collaborated with the Passyunk Homes Residents Council (PHRC) to conduct a community health assessment. It was understood that this assessment would not answer questions regarding environmental causes. Methods. A survey was developed jointly, beginning with a draft written by community residents. Before it could be fielded, Passyunk Homes was closed and the residents relocated. PDPH attempted to contact all householders who had been residents as of March 1, 1999 by mail. In-home interviews were conducted with one adult member of the household, who was asked to provide information about all household residents. Forty interviews were conducted between April 2000 and April 2001. Results. The survey provided data on 60 women (age 18+), 25 men, and 56 children. Among adults, hypertension (42%), anemia/blood deficiencies (26%), heart conditions (19%), chronic bronchitis (27%), and asthma (29%) were common. Among children, asthma was reported for 34% and attention deficit disorder for 25%. 65% of women, 38% of men, and 17% of children had experienced shortness of breath in the past 12 months. Residents reported high rates of adult smoking (32% of women, 52% of men). Obesity was common among women in the survey (49%), but not men (7%). Adult rates of participation in physical activity, on the other hand, exceeded both national averages and Healthy People 2010 targets. The mean number of "healthy days" (based on the number of days in the past 30 in which physical and mental health were "not good") was 13 for women, 22 for men, and 17.5 for children. Although most had a regular source of health care, many (45% of women, 14% of men, and 25% of children) had been unable to see a health care practitioner when they needed one within the past year. Conclusions. Respondents reported a high burden of diseases and symptoms of ill health. Overall health status was much poorer than U.S. averages. Although most of the survey participants had a regular source of health care, significant gaps in health care persisted. This study cannot provide evidence regarding concerns that environmental contamination negatively affected the health of Passyunk residents. It does demonstrate a high burden of disease and ill-health affecting both adults and children from this community.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Urban Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Philadelphia Department of Public Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment