Res. No. 57
Resolution calling upon the Mayor to declare an emergency health disaster in the Bronx and implement a plan of prevention and treatment as a result of the alarmingly high rates of HIV/AIDS, smoking, obesity, diabetes, mental disorders, teen pregnancy and child asthma in the Bronx.
By Council Members Foster, Mark-Viverito, Mendez and Sanders Jr.
Whereas, The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Thomas Frieden presented a report entitled, “The State of the Health of the Bronx and New York City (the “Report”),” on January 30, 2003; and
Whereas, The Report demonstrated alarmingly high rates of HIV/AIDS, smoking, obesity, diabetes, mental disorders, teen pregnancy and asthma in the Bronx comparative to the overall rates of such incidences in New York City; and
Whereas, The rate of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Bronx was reported at 11.1 per 1,000 persons, compared to 9.2 for the City and 3.2 for the United States, with Crotona-Tremont, Hunts Point and Highbridge communities of the Bronx at 15.6, 17.0 and 17.0 per 1,000 persons, respectively; and
Whereas, The prevalence of smoking was reported at 25.3% of the population in the Bronx, compared to 23.3% in the City, with the South Bronx at a rate of 30.4%; and
Whereas, The percent of obesity among residents of the Bronx was reported at 21.8%, compared to 16.6% for the City; and
Whereas, The percent of Bronx residents diagnosed with diabetes was reported at 11.8%, compared to 7.9% for the City; and
Whereas, The rate of hospital admissions related to mental disorders per 10,000 persons was reported at 69.4 for the Bronx, compared to 66.5 for the City; and
Whereas, The teen pregnancy rates for 1996 to 2000 were significantly higher for the Bronx compared to the other boroughs; and
Whereas, The rate of child asthma hospitalizations in the Bronx was reported at 9.2 per 1,000 persons, compared to 6.1 for the City; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor to declare an emergency health disaster in the Bronx and implement a plan of prevention and treatment as a result of the alarmingly high rates of HIV/AIDS, smoking, obesity, diabetes, mental disorders, teen pregnancy and child asthma in the Bronx.
JP
Res 23/2004