The major health problem in Borough Park Revolves around a high incidence of cancer and heart disease, and the reluctance to conduct screening and preventive measures. Cancer and Heart disease remain the highest causes of mortality in the community, but Cancer is the leading cause of death. Many residents have not yet received screening for cancer and neither do they maintain healthy lifestyles to combat lifestyle diseases like health disease. Epidemiologic data shows that the level is cholesterol is generally high in the entire community and a sizable part of the population engages in unhealthy habits like smoking. Low socioeconomic status also contributes to the rate of death as data shows that 7% of death could have been prevented (Data USA, 2018).
| STRENGTHSA larger part of the community self-report that their health is either “excellent,” “very good,” or “good.”Relatively low rates of mortality and premature death, and a passably high life expectancy. The community has a very small number of HIV diagnoses compared to the larger New York area.Morbidity is relatively low compared to other parts of the region. | WEAKNESSES20% of the population lacks health insurance.The rate of access to healthcare has not yet achieve a satisfactory level.Lack of education and advocacy for screening, especially HIV screening. A significant segment the community does not fill medical prescription because of costs. |
| OPPORTUNITIESThe needs for screening and prevention can be communicated via patient education.Obesity and diabetes can be countered through advocacy for lifestyle changes.More people can be encouraged to enroll in Medicaid and other insurance programs in order to ensure all persons are covered in terms of costs.Incentives can help relieve the economic burden of prescriptions and costs in care. | THREATSPoverty and a huge economic stress resulting from rent and other bills limit healthy lifestyle in the community. Only a small part of the population pursues prevention and screening measures. Prevalence of cancer and heart diseases are likely to cause higher rates of premature deathHigh cholesterol levels and substance increase susceptibility to lifestyle diseases. |
Based on the SWOT analysis, the health of the community is fairly good with relatively low rates of mortality, morbidity, and HIV infections (NYC Health, 2015). The majority of residents report that their state of health is good, although their responses may not reflect their true condition. Many do not have direct access to healthcare and this is partly related to the low socioeconomic status of the community as a whole which is revealed by the number of people without medical insurance and the relatively high number of people who fail to fill prescriptions because of costs (Suny Downstate Medical Center, 2010). The health of the community is further threatened by lack of preventive measures, the reluctance to screen for cancer and HPV, a high prevalence of cancer and heart disease, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns (The Brooklyn Hospital Center, 2015). The overall state of health in the community can be improved via advocacy for screening and lifestyle changes, and provision of incentives and Medicaid to those who cannot access healthcare.
References
Data USA. (2018). Borough Park, Kensington & Ocean Parkway PUMA, NY. [online] Available at: https://datausa.io/profile/geo/borough-park-kensington-%26-ocean-parkway-puma-ny/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2018].
NYC Health (2015). Brooklyn Community District 12: BOROUGH PARK. COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFILES. New York.
SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER (2010). Brooklyn community health. Brooklyn community health. New York.
The Brooklyn Hospital Center (2015). Neighborhood Health Profiles 2015. Neighborhood Health Profiles. New York.
