#Not62 — Grassroots Movements Combating The Bronx Health Crisis.
By: Darriel Ortiz
The Bronx County has endured many changes in the last decades, from a wave of building developers settling in Mott Haven, to the opening of Zona de Cuba, one of the largest rooftop venues in New York City. However, while the landscape and demographic of the Bronx continues to change, health factors affecting the borough remain the highest in all 62 New York State counties.
According to research by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin, the 2019 County Health Ranking & Roadmap ranks Bronx County at number 62 in health outcomes and health factors for the ninth straight year. Neighboring counties, like Manhattan, ranked at number five, while Rockland, Nassau and Westchester County took the top three spots.
Health factors are evaluated in four different categories; Health Behavior, Clinical Care, Social & Economical and lastly Physical Environment. Although Bronx County came in last place for healthiest county, some local Bronxites are organizing their communities and letting the world know, Bronx health matters!
One of the great attributes the Bronx possess comes from community organizers determined to change the health behaviors affecting the borough. Local running group Bronx Sole along with Boogie Down Bronx Runner and others have created the Bronx Running Division to encourage all sectors of the borough to walk, run and stay active. Together these activists are uplifting communities while directly challenging the lack of exercise among Bronx residents.
While wellness and fitness are important factors, lack of access to quality food is a crisis experienced in many low income communities, generally affecting Black and Brown people. According to the 2019 County Health Ranking and Roadmaps, “lacking constant access to food is related to negative health outcomes such as weight gain and premature mortality.” In order to fight against this disparity, local community coalition Bronx Health Reach is pressuring local officials to support campaigns for fresh and healthier food choices in the Bronx.
In the political arena Bronx residents are being let down by public officials who owe it to their constituents to insure the right for a long and healthy life. While the current borough president has lead campaigns like the #not62 to promote healthier lifestyles, it is simply not enough. In response, many are turning to educational programs like those offered by Green Bronx Machine to elevate the Bronx youths. The local for-purpose organization with 501(c)(3) status is creating youth interactive projects to educate and empower younger residents on healthy food options.
Organizing is an extremely crucial part of the democratic system under which we live in. It is this tool that will help Bronx residents come together to combat issues such as rezoning.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, unemployment rates have slightly decreased by 1.3%, however Bronx residents are not living a sustainable lifestyle. With most employment coming from outside of the borough, forcing long commutes, and the average weekly wage half of Manhattan’s (New York County), Bronx residents must fight for economic changes.
One group helping create a sustainable economic model is Green Workers Cooperative. The Bronx based Non-Profit organization is dedicated to the development and training of workers-owned businesses designed to change the local economy.
Grassroots organizing is important because it allows for large amounts of people who are being affected by the same issues to come together and force change. While Bronx County remains last of the list, many residents are hopeful they can impact change in their community for a healthier Bronx.
