Health of Boston Report 2009

Have you ever wondered what the life expectancy is for a Boston resident? Have you ever wondered if folks in your neighborhood get more or less exercise than people who live in other neighborhoods? Do you want to know what percentage of people in your neighborhood feel safe?

Now you can find the answers these and other burning questions you may have about the health of Boston residents. Today, the Boston Public Health Commission released the annual Health of Boston Report.

This year for the first time, the report includes information not just on the health conditions such as asthma and diabetes but on a wide range of factors that affect health including from accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables, educational and income status of residents and how many folks are getting the recommended daily exercise.




This years Health of Boston also took inventory of available resources in Boston neighborhoods, understanding that while individual characteristics may influence health status - socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and environment also are important determinants of health.

The report found some good news: Fewer Boston adolescent and adult residents are smoking tobacco. Additionally we have seen an over 90% decrease in number of screened children who had elevated blood lead levels.

But health challenges remain: The rate of new chlamydia infections in Boston increased 66% from 1999 to 2007. In addition, Bostons Black and Latino residents continue to experience higher levels of chronic disease, mortality, and poorer health than white residents.




To learn more about the health of residents in our city I invite you to visit our website to read the report.

http://www.bphc.org/hob

Category:

Education

Tags:

• health
• of
• boston
• report
• cigarette
• smoking
• lead
• blood
• levels
• chlamydia
• life
• expectancy
• exercise
• data