My neighborhood is Upper West Side, and there are numerous health issues. However, most of them are caused by the quality of housing and the location of my neighborhood next to the Hudson River. Most of the houses in this area were built in the 50s and 60s of the last century, and therefore, they often used lead for various pipes and materials that contribute to mold formation. The high humidity level due to the proximity to the river also worsens mold issues. Ingestion of lead-contaminated foods and inhaling lead fragments from burning lead-containing products, such as gasoline and household paint, are the main ways people get exposed to lead. Legislative limitations on lead usage caused the reduction of harmful effects on the health of a population living in recently built houses, and driving cars are manufactured under new environmental requirements. However, a large proportion of the poor population keeps residing in homes built in the previous century and using old cars, which puts these people in danger through constant exposure to mold and lead.
Considering the above characteristics and the fact that this region is remote from the center, Upper West Side may be classified as unhealthy. These difficulties are due to the population’s low financial capacities and the unwillingness of state and local self-government entities to improve this condition. Entire colonies of cockroaches are also the result of mold and poor living conditions in most homes. Residing in high-poverty areas restricts balanced alternatives and causes it harder to get adequate medical care and health-promoting services. In the Upper West Side, 9% of inhabitants are poor, contrasted to 20% of New York City citizens (Hinterland et al., 2018). Availability to housing affordability and work possibilities with competitive pay and benefits are also linked to overall well-being.
Although pollution levels in New York City are decreasing overall, it differs by neighborhood area. The greatest harmful respiratory contaminant, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), has a concentration of 8.5 mcg per sq. meter in the Upper West Side. As I stated from my standpoint, badly maintained accommodation is linked to negative health consequences, such as worsening allergies and related pulmonary disorders. In the Upper West Side, just 53% of tenant residences are effectively upheld by owners – clear from heating malfunctions, fractures, holes, peeling wallpaper, and other flaws (Hinterland et al., 2018). Cockroaches have been seen in 11% of Upper West Side houses, which might be an asthma cause.
Despite these problems, the Upper West Side is above average in other measures. The Upper West Side has 30 % more bicycle lanes than the rest of New York City, and its inhabitants generally had a decreased walking accident hospital stays frequency than NYC. Five of New York City’s farm owners’ marketplaces are located on the Upper West Side, providing another healthful food source (Hinterland et al., 2018). Ninety-three percent of Upper West Side inhabitants rate their well-being as “outstanding,” “decent,” or “satisfactory.” However, the most important are the problems related to the construction and age of the buildings. Lead and mold are variables that silently lower the population’s living level. Cockroaches are notorious for being difficult to remove from structures, suggesting that their houses should be completely rebuilt because one contaminated apartment can infect the entire house (Hinterland et al., 2018).
That is why it is required to construct new homes in compliance with all of the new regulatory criteria, as more than individual efforts will be required. It is vital to create a specialized reconstruction plan based on the state of the housing, with the worst cases being first in line. For the possible solution to these problems, financial resources are needed, which can come directly from residents or the local budget and be accumulated in funds. Thus, according to an expert assessment, repair crews can be sent to dangerous apartments with funds from the funds. If the repair is impractical, a project for demolishing and constructing a new home will be developed. There may also be volunteer cleaning and construction teams to help people with low financial means.
References
Hinterland K, Naidoo M, King L, Lewin V, Myerson G, Noumbissi B, Woodward M, Gould LH, Gwynn RC, Barbot O, & Bassett MT. (2018). Community Health Profiles 2018, Manhattan Community District 7: Upper West Side, 7(59): 1-20. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Web.