Health Program Assessment: Inequality in Philadelphia Communities

How long have you lived in your community?

I have been a Philadelphia resident for 23 years, during which time I have come face-to-face with a wide array of pressing public health issues. As a recent article by Melwert (2012) shows, Philadelphia is routinely ranked as the least healthy county in the State of Pennsylvania.

What do you believe are the greatest health issues that exist within your community and who are the populations you believe are most impacted by these health issues?

The population that concerns us most is the youth demographic. In Philadelphia, young people between the ages of 1 and 19 are at the highest risk for certain prevailing health challenges. Additionally, based on the findings from our interviews with local residents, the vast majority of youths in high-risk categories are of African-American or Hispanic ethnicity. There are yet further...
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