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Partner Accomplishments
Why We Need An Alliance
The South Bronx and East & Central Harlem, two adjacent areas of NYC, have significantly high rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The population in these areas report limited physical activity, limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables and higher rates of smoking than NYC as a whole. It has been predicted that if no change is made, upwards of half of all children born in the year 2000 in areas such as the South Bronx and East & Central Harlem will develop diabetes at some point in their lifetime. This will result in a concomitant increase in cardiovascular disease, renal disease and other associated illnesses.
The Statistics Tell The Story
According to the NYC Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene 2007 Community Health Survey shows continued health disparities in East and
Central Harlem and the South Bronx:
- 36% of South Bronx residents and 33% of East/Central Harlem residents reported having high blood pressure. Citywide figure is 27%.
- 34% of South Bronx residents and 29% of East and Central Harlem residents were obese. Citywide the figure is 22%.
- 20% of South Bronx residents and 19% of East/Central Harlem residents reported no physical activity in the past week. Citywide the figure is 16%.
Coming Together To Make A Difference
The Strategic Alliance for Health (SAfH) is designed to leverage the initiatives of SAfH
partners, Elected Officials, City and State agencies/coalitions and non-public health
focused community based organizations in an effort to improve the environments, systems,
and policies that influence physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use within schools
and the broader community. The best practices of these efforts will be documented to
disseminate to other NYC neighborhoods with persistent health inequities who are seeking
similar policy interventions.
Community Related Goals of the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health (SAfH)
Include:
Physical Activity
- Establish a policy that requires organizations who provide services in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) community centers to lead daily physical activity programming Establish one policy change in either the process for approval or marketing of the play street program in the target area.
- Modify the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Adopt a Bodega initiative to include a community fund option that will offer Bodega owners resources to purchase a produce license, produce stand as well as to receive a produce management training
School Related Goals of the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health (SAfH) Include:
School Wellness
- Establish a policy at the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE) that will provide elementary schools with a Physical Activity and Nutrition Award
Alliance Members to date
Abyssinian Development Corporation
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx Borough President's Office
Bronx Health REACH
Bronx River Alliance
Bronx Works
Building Bridges, Building Health, Building Knowledge Coaltion (BBKH)
Central Harlem Health Revival
Children First Network
Children's Defense Fund NY
Church of Christ the King
City Harvest
CIVITAS Citizens, Inc.
Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center
Concrete Safaris
Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Council on the Environment of New York City
East Harlem Preservation
Family Cook Productions
Harlem Children's Zones
Harlem HEAL Initiative (Healthy Eating and Living) at the Greater Harlem Chamber
Harlem Hospital Center
HOPE Community, Inc.
Manhattan Borough President's Office
Montefiore Medical Center
Morris Heights Health Center
Morrisania Health Center
Mothers on the Move
Mount Sinai
Neighborhood Open Spaces Coalition
New York City Housing Authority
New York City Housing Tenants Association
New York Road Runners Foundation
North General Hospital
Nos Quedamos
NY Academy of Medicine
NY Faith & Justice
NYC Coalition Against Hunger
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Partnership for Parks
Sustainable South Bronx
The Nourishing Kitchen of NYC
The Point Community Development Corporation
Transportation Alternatives
Union Settlement Association
Urban Health Plan, Inc.
WEACT for Environmental Justice
Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation
YMCA of Greater New York
Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice
Last Updated: March 30, 2010
For more information, contact Javier Lopez, Director of the Alliance, or Ana Garcia, NYAM Senior Policy Associate.