D. Assessment Overview
The following is a list of questions utilized in my Kingsbridge Heights/Bedford Park Health Assessment:
1. Do you now, or have you ever lived in the Kingsbridge/Bedford Park area or another of the Bronx?
Question One determines whether or not the subject is a resident of the area I have chosen to study. As participation is restricted, potential interview participants were categorized by whether they lived in Kingsbridge / Bedford Park. If not, this disqualified them from the survey.
2. Year of Birth (YYYY)
3. Gender
Question Three determines the gender of an individual. This is important as age a crucial determinant of health and this helps to categorize responses in a similar fashion to age.
4. Race and/or Ethnicity background
Question four determines racial and/or ethnic background as different groups have been found to have drastically different experiences while living in similar areas.
5. How often do you eat at fast food? Fast food is defined as "food from a restaurant that specializes in providing a full 'meal,' often consisting of a permutation of hamburger or chicken, French fries, pommes frites (chips), and a soft drink or a milkshake, in less than two minutes; a diet consisting solely of ... protein, fat, calories, salt, and highly saturated vegetable–eg, palm, coconut oils and is low in vitamins, minerals, and fibers" (McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine).
Question five determines the frequency with which the subjects consume "fast food" as defined by the McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. While the reading required for the question is relatively lengthy, I found it important to clarify the definition of fast food so that I could standardize the definition for the interviewees. As many people tend to define "fast food" idiosyncratically, this has been particularly helpful. Among other things, "fast food" consumption has been linked with decreased health outlooks and increased rates of issues regarding weight or dietary conditions.
6. How affordable are healthy food options in your area? Healthy foods are described as "Any food believed to be ‘good for you’, especially if high in fiber, natural vitamins, fructose, etc. Healthy foods may reduce cholesterol, reduce atherosclerosis and risk of stroke, help control glucose, halt progression of osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of infections, cancer. Examples include apples, beans, carrots, cranberry juice, fish, garlic, ginger, nuts, oats, olive oil, soy foods, tea, and yogurt" (Segan's Medical Dictionary).
Question six determines the affordability of "healthy foods" and even includes a short list of healthy foods as provided by Segan's Medical Dictionary. I found it appropriate to provide a definition and a list for "healthy foods" so to limit confusion. The clarification seemed necessary due to diverging definitions.
1. Do you now, or have you ever lived in the Kingsbridge/Bedford Park area or another of the Bronx?
- If yes, continue through the following questions.
- If no, then where?
- Other:
Question One determines whether or not the subject is a resident of the area I have chosen to study. As participation is restricted, potential interview participants were categorized by whether they lived in Kingsbridge / Bedford Park. If not, this disqualified them from the survey.
2. Year of Birth (YYYY)
- Individual Response
3. Gender
- Male
- Female
- Prefer not to say
- Other
Question Three determines the gender of an individual. This is important as age a crucial determinant of health and this helps to categorize responses in a similar fashion to age.
4. Race and/or Ethnicity background
- Individual Response
Question four determines racial and/or ethnic background as different groups have been found to have drastically different experiences while living in similar areas.
5. How often do you eat at fast food? Fast food is defined as "food from a restaurant that specializes in providing a full 'meal,' often consisting of a permutation of hamburger or chicken, French fries, pommes frites (chips), and a soft drink or a milkshake, in less than two minutes; a diet consisting solely of ... protein, fat, calories, salt, and highly saturated vegetable–eg, palm, coconut oils and is low in vitamins, minerals, and fibers" (McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine).
- 3 or more times a week
- 1-2 times a week
- Once every other week
- Once a month
- Less than 10 times a year
- Less than three times a year
- Never or less frequently than once a year
Question five determines the frequency with which the subjects consume "fast food" as defined by the McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. While the reading required for the question is relatively lengthy, I found it important to clarify the definition of fast food so that I could standardize the definition for the interviewees. As many people tend to define "fast food" idiosyncratically, this has been particularly helpful. Among other things, "fast food" consumption has been linked with decreased health outlooks and increased rates of issues regarding weight or dietary conditions.
6. How affordable are healthy food options in your area? Healthy foods are described as "Any food believed to be ‘good for you’, especially if high in fiber, natural vitamins, fructose, etc. Healthy foods may reduce cholesterol, reduce atherosclerosis and risk of stroke, help control glucose, halt progression of osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of infections, cancer. Examples include apples, beans, carrots, cranberry juice, fish, garlic, ginger, nuts, oats, olive oil, soy foods, tea, and yogurt" (Segan's Medical Dictionary).
- Very
- Somewhat
- Average
- A little over priced
- Way over priced
Question six determines the affordability of "healthy foods" and even includes a short list of healthy foods as provided by Segan's Medical Dictionary. I found it appropriate to provide a definition and a list for "healthy foods" so to limit confusion. The clarification seemed necessary due to diverging definitions.
7. How often do you find yourself searching for healthy food options?
- Very Often
- Often
- Average
- Not Often
- Never
Question seven determines if there is a desire among the subjects to obtain healthy food options regardless of local availability. A desire for healthy food is a strong indicator for a lack thereof.
8. How likely are you to spend more money on nutritional foods options, than cheaper, less nutritional food options in the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area?
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Average
- Not Likely
- Not at All
Question eight determines the willingness of subjects to purchase more expensive yet healthier options when surrounded by cheaper food options which may have reduced nutritional value. In areas of relatively low socioeconomic status, such preferences can be difficult to maintain.
9. What do you value most when looking to buy food in the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area?
- Location Convenience
- Affordability
- Nutrition
- Fast Service
- Taste
- Other:
Question nine determines the interviewee's subjective preference in terms of the purchasing of local food. This question highlights eating preferences which are at times maintained subconsciously when deciding what to purchase.
10. Do you read nutrition labels?
- Yes
- No
- Sometimes
Question ten is important because it determines whether the participants tend to be passive conscious consumers. In cases which subjects read nutrition labels, it shows that they strive to be conscious of the influence ingested food has on health.
11. Where did you live before moving to the Bronx (Neighborhood, City, State, Country)? *Amount of detail is up to the willingness of the subject.
Question eleven determines where the subject lived (if applicable) before inhabiting the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area. This is vital as the research project is looking for factors which reflect health conditions in the Bronx specifically. A conditional question was utilized as to leave the amount of information to the participant. I found that subjects were less willing to provide information when asked directly. The element of choice made many subjects more comfortable with providing personal information.
12. Do you believe that the quality of your health has increased or decreased as a result of living in the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area?
- Increased Quality of Health
- Decreased Quality of Health
13. Which factors have affected your health while living in the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area?
Question thirteen collects qualitative data regarding factors which affect health. While not all subjects are well versed in the social determinants of health, this question is vital to collecting insights which might clarify why Kingsbridge / Bedford Park has a relatively low health outlook when compared to other neighborhoods.
14. Do you have any health conditions which have developed since entering the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area?
Question fourteen determines whether health conditions have developed. The health conditions listed are marked as common by the Community Health Profile. For the sake of facilitating comparison, this question (and others) mimic questions used in the Community Health Profile
15. Were you born outside of the United States?
Question fifteen determines immigration status as this is one of the greatest determinants of health as many immigrants face lower socioeconomic conditions than their native-born counterparts. While claims have been made that such discrepancies are due to racial divergence in health characteristics, it can be argued that the distinctions are merely due to social conditions.
16. Do health conditions impact your day to day life on a regular basis?
Question sixteen determines whether the participant believes his/her regular activities are hindered by poor health. I found that many participants felt reluctant to divulge information pertaining to health conditions. And yet they were more willing to express their health in more vague, qualitative terms.
17. Given your current health, how likely are you to do the following: walk twenty blocks, bike five miles, hike for an hour, go to the gym, or do some equivalent form of exercise?
Question seventeen determines the proclivity of participants to exercise moderately. Participants who consistently exercise should show relatively improved health outlooks. It will be interesting to see if this is confirmed by data.
18. Are there food stores offering healthy foods which are easily accessible by foot, bike, and/or public transportation in Bedford Park / Kingsbridge? * Food stores are stores that predominantly sell food, including grocery stores, supermarkets, ethnic and specialized markets, some corner stores, and some convenience stores.
Question eighteen questions the accessibility of food stores. It determines whether the subject finds food stores which are relatively local and well stocked with "healthy food" options. Scarcity in term of "healthy food" options is one of the greatest limiters of healthy eating.
19. Which of these foods are readily available?
Question nineteen determines whether the interviewee has proper access to "healthy foods". Additionally, it notes the absence of "healthy foods" in Kingsbridge / Bedford Park as claimed by participants.
Question thirteen collects qualitative data regarding factors which affect health. While not all subjects are well versed in the social determinants of health, this question is vital to collecting insights which might clarify why Kingsbridge / Bedford Park has a relatively low health outlook when compared to other neighborhoods.
14. Do you have any health conditions which have developed since entering the Kingsbridge / Bedford Park area?
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart Disease
- Obesity
- Other:
Question fourteen determines whether health conditions have developed. The health conditions listed are marked as common by the Community Health Profile. For the sake of facilitating comparison, this question (and others) mimic questions used in the Community Health Profile
15. Were you born outside of the United States?
- Yes
- No
Question fifteen determines immigration status as this is one of the greatest determinants of health as many immigrants face lower socioeconomic conditions than their native-born counterparts. While claims have been made that such discrepancies are due to racial divergence in health characteristics, it can be argued that the distinctions are merely due to social conditions.
16. Do health conditions impact your day to day life on a regular basis?
- No
- Rarely
- Sometimes
- Often
- Always
Question sixteen determines whether the participant believes his/her regular activities are hindered by poor health. I found that many participants felt reluctant to divulge information pertaining to health conditions. And yet they were more willing to express their health in more vague, qualitative terms.
17. Given your current health, how likely are you to do the following: walk twenty blocks, bike five miles, hike for an hour, go to the gym, or do some equivalent form of exercise?
- 3 or more times a week
- 1-2 times a week
- Once every other week
- Once a month
- Less than 10 times a year
- Less than three times a year
- Never or less frequently than once a year
Question seventeen determines the proclivity of participants to exercise moderately. Participants who consistently exercise should show relatively improved health outlooks. It will be interesting to see if this is confirmed by data.
18. Are there food stores offering healthy foods which are easily accessible by foot, bike, and/or public transportation in Bedford Park / Kingsbridge? * Food stores are stores that predominantly sell food, including grocery stores, supermarkets, ethnic and specialized markets, some corner stores, and some convenience stores.
- Everywhere/almost everywhere 81%–100%
- Usually 61%–80%
- About half the places 41%–60%
- Some places 21%–40%
- Rarely/None 0%–20%
Question eighteen questions the accessibility of food stores. It determines whether the subject finds food stores which are relatively local and well stocked with "healthy food" options. Scarcity in term of "healthy food" options is one of the greatest limiters of healthy eating.
19. Which of these foods are readily available?
- A variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and/or nuts of acceptable quality
- Low-fat products (such as low-fat milk, yogurt or lean meats)
- Whole-grain products
Question nineteen determines whether the interviewee has proper access to "healthy foods". Additionally, it notes the absence of "healthy foods" in Kingsbridge / Bedford Park as claimed by participants.