Get Ny Bronx Health Link Health Equity Report 2009-2025

In the South Bronx, the poorest urban congressional district in the country, the population suffers high rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, asthma, HIV/AIDS, and infant mortality. Though health outcomes improve in wealthier areas, blacks still die at a higher rate than whites, regardless of where they live.

Residents of New York City's poorest neighborhoods consistently have higher mortality rates from almost all diseases, compared with residents of its wealthiest neighborhoods. For example, deaths due to AIDS and assault/homicide are 6 times higher in the poorest neighborhoods.

In 2022, there were an estimated 1,379,946 people in The Bronx, of which 3.9% identified as Asian, 28.2% identified as Black, 56.6% identified as Hispanic, and 8.3% identified as White. In 2022, the household income group with the largest share (24.0%) of households was <= $20,000.

The Bronx has a long history as a medically designated underserved area or having a shortage of providers. These designations, Medically Underserved Area /Population (MUA) and Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA) originate from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Examples of SDOH in our community include Food Insecurity, Housing Insecurity, Transportation Needs. Interpersonal Safety, Lack of Education, and Difficulty in Paying for Utilities. Our care team members are trained in screening, identifying, and addressing the SDOH for patients.

Chronic and diet-related diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and screenable cancers, continue to be leading causes of death across all racial and ethnic groups in NYC.

In the South Bronx, the poorest urban congressional district in the country, the population suffers high rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, asthma, HIV/AIDS, and infant mortality. Though health outcomes improve in wealthier areas, blacks still die at a higher rate than whites, regardless of where they live.

Heart disease is the leading cause of adult hospitalization in the Southeast Bronx. The hospitalization data also reveal the burden of illness due to mental illness, drug use, and alcohol abuse, as well as injuries and asthma.