77 Percent Of Area Residents Say They Are In Good Health According To Health Department Community Profile

Forty-five percent of Flatbush and Midwood residents are foreign-born, 54 percent are between the ages of 25 and 64, 77 percent say they are in good health, and the life expectancy of neighborhood residents is 81.5 years, according to the Brooklyn Community Health profile released by the city Health Department earlier this month.

The profiles detail the health of Brooklyn neighborhoods from a population breakdown to neighborhood conditions to health outcomes. These profiles, which are updated and expanded versions of profiles released in 2003 and 2006, provide comparative information on major health issues including HIV, smoking, and health insurance, and serve as a critical resource for improving health community by community, according to the Health Department.

“Our goal is to put this information into the hands of elected officials, providers, institutions, community-based organizations and, most importantly, neighborhood residents themselves so we can truly work together to reduce health disparities across all five boroughs.” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett in a statement.

To create a broader picture of neighborhood wellbeing, this year the Health Department added non-traditional health indicators to the profiles, such as housing quality and retail environment.

In Community District 14, which covers Flatbush and Midwood, a higher percentage of homes have maintenance defects compared with homes citywide. Poorly maintained housing can be associated with negative health outcomes, including asthma and other respiratory illnesses, injuries and poor mental health.

Another notable figure for the neighborhood: 58 percent of residents spend more than 30 percent of their monthly gross income on rent. (See top image.)

The area is better educated than the Brooklyn as a whole, but in general, adults in our area smoke, consume sugary drinks, eat fruit and vegetables, and are physically active at rates similar to the rest of Brooklyn and the city.

However, the injury assault rate in the area is lower than the citywide rate.

“The updated Community Health Profiles will empower Brooklynites, from civic leaders to everyday residents, with a broad understanding of the measures that are advancing or inhibiting their ability to raise healthy children and families.” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams in a statement.

You can check out the full profile for Community District 14 here. Does anything stand out to you in the Health Department’s results?