Community Health: Obesity Prevention

Target Population: Children from low-income African American and Hispanic families living in Miami-Dade County aged between three and seventeen

The Size of Population: according to the last census, 2,712,945 people live in the county (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017).

Geographical Location and Climate

The community is located in the state of Florida’s most southeastern part. The data obtained from the 2017 census indicates that the county is the most populous one in the state and also the seventh-most populous in the country. Miami-Dade County covers the area of 1,946 square mile, which makes the location third-largest county in the state of Florida. The county is second-largest in population density, having 1,423 people per square mile (“Miami-Dade County, Florida,” n.d.). Miami-Dade follows only one county, Broward, the density of which is 1,566 people per square mile.

The largest and most important city in the county, Miami, is located near the islands of Key Biscayne and is bordered by Biscayne Bay on the east (“Miami: Geography and climate,” n.d). The climate in the area is semi-tropical, and there are no temperature extremes in Miami-Dade. Summers are warm and long, and winters are dry and mild. The county has a very high humidity level, which ranges from 86 to 89 percent (“Miami: Geography and climate,” n.d). Overall, the location and climate are rather pleasant for people living there, as well as for many tourists.

Demographics

The total population of Miami-Dade County was estimated at 2,712,945 in 2016 (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017). Thus, there was an increase by 0.7% compared to a year earlier and an increase by 13.6% compared to 2007. The growth of the population younger than fifteen constituted 3% (13,300 people) between 2007 and 2016. Within the same period, the number of citizens older than sixty-five increased by 23% (80,900 people) (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017). The so-called “young working-age population,” individuals between fifteen and forty-four, increased by 10.3% (102,000 people) (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017, p. 15).

Meanwhile, the older working-age population, citizens between forty-five and sixty-four, grew by 21.7% (129,600 people). The ratio of working individuals per people over sixty-five dropped from 4.5 in 2007 to 3.8 in 2016. The number of working people per dependent individuals (children under fifteen and elderly people over sixty-five) did not change between 2007 and 2016, and it constituted 2.0 (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017).

The number of Hispanic population in Miami-Dade County increased from 62.0% in 2007 to 67.7% in 2016. Currently, the total Hispanic population is estimated at 1.84 million. The number of Black non-Hispanic citizens increased by 1.9% (448,900 people) from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, the total population share of this group decreased from 18.0% to 16.1% within the period 2007-2016 (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017). The White non-Hispanic population dropped to 381,200 people (by 12.7%). The share of the cohort fell from 17.7% in 2006 to 13.6% in 2016 (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017).

As of 2016, there were 2,222,826 working-age citizens in Miami-Dade, 1,372,153 of whom were in the labor force. Out of those, 1,370, 947 were in the civilian labor force (1,290,097 employed and 80,850 unemployed). 1,206 were in armed forces, and 850, 673 were not in the labor force (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017). In the civilian labor force, the unemployment rate was 5.9%. The number of women sixteen years and older constituted 1,155,800 in 2016.

Out of them, 640,949 were in labor force, 640, 730 were in the civilian labor force, and 600,380 were employed. 181,609 people had children younger than six, and 345,226 citizens had children between six and seventeen (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017). By classes, workers were divided into private salary and wage workers (1,057,880), government employees (120,686), self-employed individuals (108,942), and unpaid family workers (2,589).

Out of the employed population over sixteen (1,290,097), the following occupation division was recorded in 2016:

252,384: health care, social services, and education;
160,672: administrative, management, scientific, and professional services;
158,752: retail trade;
149,588: recreation, entertainment, arts, and food services;
106,084: warehousing and transportation;
103,636: construction;
97,194: real estate, insurance, and finance;
79,895: services other than public administration;
57,130: manufacturing;
46,086: wholesale trade;
44,806: public administration services;
23,941: information;
9,929: forestry, fishing and hunting agriculture, and mining (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017).

A 2014 report containing recent data on the county demonstrates that in 2012, there were 838,772 households in Miami-Dade (“Miami-Dade County economic,” n.d.). Out of them, 96,871 had an income of less than $10,000. 168,889 households had an income between $10,000 and $24,999; 214,750 earned $25,000-$49,999; 214,726 had between $50,000 and 99,999; 79,868 earned $100,000-$149,999; and 26,759 had an income of $150,000-$199,999. Finally, there were 37,091 households with the income of $200,000 or higher (“Miami-Dade County economic,” n.d.). The median household income in 2012 was $41,400, and the mean income was $63,863. The sources of household income in 2012 were the following:

wage or salary (77%);
social security income (7%);
self-employment (6%);
interest, net rental, or dividends (5%);
retirement income (3%);
other kinds (1%);
supplemental security income (1%);
public assistance income (less than 1%) (“Miami-Dade County economic,” n.d.).

As of 2016, racial demographics were as follows:

2,052,266 – white;
500, 126 – Black or African American;
53,012 – Asian;
10,175 – American Indian and Alaska Native;
3,557 – Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander;
139,716 – some other race (“Miami-Dade County profiles: American,” 2017).

Physical and Social Environment

Through the windshield survey, such Miami-Dade communities as Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Pinecrest, and West Perrine were evaluated. As of 2014, the population of Palmetto Bay constituted 24,513 people (“Palmetto Bay, Florida,” n.d.). Out of them, 52.3% were female, and 47.7% were male, the median resident age being 42.4. The estimated median household income constituted $45,935 in 2016. The estimated median house price in 2016 was $265,200.

During the windshield survey, it was possible to observe many recreational zones and sports facilities. The parks belonging to the “Village of Parks” attract attention due to a variety of recreational options. There are also many healthcare institutions in the area, such as Jackson South Community Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Larkin General Hospital, Miami Children’s Hospital Early Intervention Program, and others. A good variety of grocery stores allows citizens to buy healthy and fresh food. The most convenient ones seem to be Aldi, Publix, the Fresh Market, and Farm Stores Palmetto Bay. Although there are many fast food restaurants, there are also places where one can eat healthy food. There are several churches belonging to different confessions.

The population of Cutler Bay in 2014 constituted 44,321 people. 50.1% were males, and 49.9% were females, with the median age of 36.7 (“Cutler Bay, Florida,” n.d.). The estimated median household income recorded in 2016 was $45,935. The estimated house price was $265,200 (“Cutler Bay, Florida,” n.d.). The windshield survey allowed analyzing the recreational and healthcare facilities in the community.

A big recreational park offers such options for developing sports habits as soccer fields, running tracks, baseball and volleyball fields, jogging paths, and bike trails. There is a variety of grocery stores the majority of which are located in convenient places, such as Kelcy’s Grocery, President Supermarket, Aldi, and others. Most street food options are narrowed by fast food, which decreases the population’s access to healthy food. There is a community health center within two miles from the residential area. Also, there are several gyms both near homes within a driving distance. Healthcare facilities include hospitals and dental clinics, such as Jackson South Medical Center and Wound Care Center.

Pinecrest is another community in Miami-Dade that was observed during the survey. The population of the area was 19,521 in 2014 (“Pinecrest, Florida,” n.d.). There were 51.3% of females and 48.7% of males, the median age being 42.5.

The estimated median household income constituted $135,964 in 2016. The estimated house value in 2016 was $1,000,000, which was the highest of all the observed communities. Mansions in Pinecrest are very large, and they are surrounded by big lawns. The community being luxurious, there are beautiful spacious parks offering recreation for citizens. There even is a clear distinction between parks for relaxation and exercising.

The neighborhood’s grocery stores differ greatly from those in other communities. In particular, there are many healthy food stores which are large and offer a variety of products. The most convenient of these are Trader Joe’s, the Fresh Market, and Whole Foods. Additionally, there is a fresh fruit market opened daily that is situated in the residential area. Unlike Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay, Pinecrest does not have many fast food restaurants. Instead, exquisite restaurants offering organic and health-conscious food prevail here. Public transportation is not popular since almost all citizens own cars. There are several private and public schools in the area. For those taking care of their physical shape, there are gyms, bike trails, and jogging tracks. Several churches, which appear to be Catholic, can be seen in the community.

The last community under observation was West Perrine. This area has the smallest population: in 2010, there were 9,460 people living there (“West Perrine, Florida,” n.d.). There were 54.4% of females and 45.6% of males, the median residential age being 34.9. The estimated median household income constituted $38,951 in 2016. The estimated average house price was $180,758 in 2016 (“West Perrine, Florida,” n.d.).

This neighborhood is not as good-looking as the previously described three. Houses are small and old-fashioned, there are no lawns, and yards are not kept in good condition. It is difficult to identify the color of some houses because they have not been refurbished for many years. In the streets, there is much dust and litter, and there is a dump situated too close to the residential area. The community has many fast food restaurants, such as Burger King and McDonald’s.

In West Perrine, no jogging tracks or bike paths can be seen. Streets are largely empty, with a few people waiting for public transport. Almost near every house, there are several cars: three or even four. The community has some grocery shops and supermarkets, but they do not appear as neat as those in Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, or Cutler Bay. There are a few churches and elementary schools, as well as a magnet school. There is also a big park that could be used for fitness and working out. However, it does not seem to be a safe place at present, and not many people can be seen there.

Health Disparities

Disparity is a term that can be employed in various aspects, such as ethnicity, age, gender, and others. Recently, there appeared the term health disparity which means the health difference associated with economic, social, or environmental conditions (“Disparities,” n.d.).

According to Healthy people 2020, health disparities can have a negative effect on those groups of people that experience economic or social barriers to health grounded in their ethnicity or race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, physical or mental disability, geographical location, or sexual orientation (“Disparities,” n.d.). Generally speaking, a disparity is observed whenever a person is being treated with some kind of discrimination.

In Miami-Dade County, health disparities are the same as defined for the whole state of Florida. The minority populations most affected by health inequality are Hispanic Americans, Alaska Natives, African Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians (“Minority health and health equity,” n.d.). Compared to the state’s general population, individuals belonging to the mentioned groups have poorer access to health care.

Also, these populations have a much higher incidence of such serious diseases as obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, asthma, HIV/AIDS, and some others (“Minority health and health equity,” n.d.). The Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, which was established in 2004, aims at reducing disparities and increasing the access and quality of health care for all groups of people.

Miami-Dade County: Health Disparities

Miami-Dade is a minority-majority area, meaning that most citizens belong to minority groups. However, despite 67.5% of population being Hispanic and 18% being black, there are considerable health disparities in the community (“Miami-Dade County, Florida,” n.d.). African Americans and Hispanics usually have a higher level of poverty than the general population. Compared to Whites, these minority groups tend to have lower levels of education. For instance, in 2012, 22.9% of Hispanics and 36.0% of African Americans had less than high school diploma whereas only 4.9% of White non-Hispanic citizens had that level of education (“Miami-Dade County, Florida,” n.d.).

At the same time, only 14.5% of African Americans and 23.7% of Hispanics had a bachelor’s degree while as many as 50.9% of non-Hispanic Whites had the same level. Thus, it is possible to conclude that disparities in health access start with differences in education. The poorer level of education one has got, the lower-income profession they can find. As a result, many people cannot afford to pay their medical bills and sustain from visiting a doctor.

Another problem is that individuals with low income do not have money to pay for healthy food or attend a gym. As a result, many Hispanics and African Americans are obese, and the disease runs in the family (Gibbs & Forste, 2014). From an early age, children cannot receive all the vital products or eat enough fruit and vegetables. The major goal of the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity is to find ways of reducing disparities and providing children from all population groups with relevant healthcare options.