Chronic Diseases More Prevalent in Poorer Areas of Los Angeles, Study Says

People living in the poorer neighborhoods of Los Angeles have a higher incidence of chronic disease and participate in more "risky behaviors" than do those in wealthier areas, according to a report released March 27 by the county Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles Times reports. The report, based on surveys by the health department and other county and state organizations, illustrates "disturbing" disparities in health status and access to care, the Times reports. The south area of Los Angeles, including the neighborhoods of South-Central, Lynwood and Compton, has the county's highest rate of births to teenage girls, as well as the lowest access to prenatal care, the report says. In addition, the south region has the highest rates of breast and cervical cancers, diabetes, obesity, deaths from heart disease and uninsured adults and children. The metro area, including the areas of West Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles, has a tuberculosis rate twice that of wealthier areas such as San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys and an HIV/AIDS rate three times higher than the state's rate. According to Belinda Towns, a county health officer in the south area, the health department has assembled several community groups in response to the survey's findings that will focus on increasing physical activity among children, expanding prenatal care and insurance coverage and decreasing "risky" sexual behavior. Los Angeles City Council member Mark Ridley-Thomas said, "We need aggressive outreach. We need information in schools, libraries, religious institutions, anywhere people would turn. There should be billboards. We need a full-on assault against everything that diminishes and deteriorates the quality of health." Ridley-Thomas added that he is "committed" to increasing enrollment in Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, the state's Medicaid and CHIP programs (Galarza, Los Angeles Times, 3/28).