Submitted by: Jennifer T. Davis, Senior VP/ Executive Director, American Heart Association, Philadelphia
Studies show that there are things we can do to control our health. We know that in order to live a longer, healthier life, we should eat smart, move more, and know our numbers. But there are some factors that can impact our life span that aren’t always in our control.
Where you are born, grow, live, work, and age are fundamental factors of cardiovascular health. These social determinants of health play a large role in someone’s overall wellbeing. Today in Philadelphia, a resident of Society Hill is expected to live approximately 20 years longer than someone living just a few miles away in North or Southwest Philadelphia. Over 20% of Philadelphians are currently living in poverty, which is a huge contributor to the grim reality that Philadelphian’s have the highest rate of premature death from cardiovascular disease than any other large American city.
Your zip code shouldn’t determine how long you live, but it does. Because where you live determines your access to heart-healthy food options, healthcare, or safe to spaces to exercise. Many residents of Philly’s vulnerable neighborhoods are stretching their budgets to cover things like child care, housing, and transportation, meaning that healthy food, doctors visits, and regular exercise are often sacrificed. Stress levels may also be higher for residents who don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods, are unemployed, or who are struggling to pay their bills. These all contribute to higher risks for cardiovascular disease. The issue often isn’t that these residents don’t know how to make the healthy choice, it’s that the healthy choice isn’t always available to them.
These social determinants of health in Philadelphia cannot be resolved overnight. The American Heart Association is partnering with for-profit and other non-profit organizations across the city to create lasting, meaningful change. Government, healthcare, educational institutions, and corporations must work together to remove the barriers that prevent our communities from adopting healthy living behaviors and improve access to quality and affordable healthcare for all.
