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On Thursday, March 9, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to address “persistent problems of poverty, violence, and poor health” in the borough of Brooklyn (28.92% Latino population). The eight-pronged plan hopes to incorporate holistic approaches to address these concerning issues.
The initiative, entitled Vital Brooklyn, looked to poor resources several economically struggling neighborhoods in Brooklyn. While much of Brooklyn has prospered in recent years, crime and unemployment are still rampant in certain areas.
“For too long investment in underserved communities has lacked the strategy necessary to end systemic social and economic disparity,” Cuomo said in an interview with The New York Times. “But in Central Brooklyn those failed approaches stop today. We are going to employ a new holistic plan that will bring health and wellness to one of the most disadvantaged parts of the state.”
In Central Brooklyn, obesity and unemployment rates are higher than the city and state averages. Part of the plan will be allocating $700 million to create a network of 36 ambulatory centers in the area that would also create partnerships with existing community providers.
“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe neighborhood with access to jobs, health care, affordable housing, green spaces and healthy food, but you can’t address one of these without addressing them all,” Cuomo said.
In order to reduce health disparities, it is critical to address inequities in programs, practices, and policies. Join our site, connect with others, and get involved.
Part of the governor’s plan will also ensure a sizeable amount of investments into park improvements, including building green spaces, renovating athletic facilities, and implementing fitness and recreation programs. Many of the areas cited for improvements are in so-called “park deserts” in low-income areas of the city.
The plan also includes funding for healthy food, education, job creation, affordable housing and violence prevention.
“This plan is a dramatic and comprehensive effort to solve problems that have existed in central Brooklyn for decades,” said Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, whose district represents central Brooklyn, in an interview with the Times. “We think it’s a meaningful initiative.”
Read more about the governor’s plan here.
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By The Numbers
33
percent
of Latinos live within walking distance (<1 mile) of a park
