Journal 11: 11/14/2018 (Reflection on PAR project conducted in Brooklyn NYC)

PAR better known as Participatory action program in Brooklyn addressed a main focus is mobilize the Brownsville and East NY communities to address inequalities that affect health. As part of the PAR 1 (vital Brooklyn) the research conducted were surveys and interviews. Approximately 525 residents were surveyed and 23 people were interviewed. The results collected was astonishing! Less than half of the respondents reported to be in “very good” or “excellent” health. In addition, over half of the residents claimed that there was a lack of healthy food options within the area. As far the community goes, there were claims that the social challenge within the community was sexual harassment and violence. Base on the claims it seems very unrealistic for people to be in good health if they lack health options and are subjected to random acts of violence within their community. As a result of the findings the CCB (Community Care Brooklyn) prioritized food justice and aided in the improvement of other social determinants of health that were addressed.

Due to the success of PAR 1 another research initiative was started targeting Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and East Flatbush. PAR 2 choose the study areas due to high rates of mortality, chronic disease, and economic challenges. The main concern in participatory research is convincing people to participate. Yet the people chosen to participate in PAR 2 were dedicated residents within the mentioned areas of Brooklyn that are eager to change their environment so that residents can have better opportunities. The research conducted on median household incomes is astonishing, based on the study out of Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, and East Flatbush, Bedford Stuyvesant had the lowest median household income at $24,424 with a 32% of people living below poverty within that sector. Low income households can take a toll on mental health, physical health, bad diets, and a surge in hospitalizations due to poor conditions.