San Francisco Neighborhood Children Lack Services
Although the San Francisco neighborhood Bayview-Hunters Point has the highest density of children in the city, it has only one pediatrician in private practice and one other preparing to open a practice, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
According to U.S. Census data, the number of Bayview-Hunters Point residents younger than age 18 increased by 58% to 10,372 between 1980 and 2000. The area's overall population increased by 13,000 residents, or by 62%, during that time period.
The Chronicle reports that:
- One-sixth of Bayview-Hunters Point children had asthma in 1999-2000. Area asthma rates are higher than any other ZIP code in the city;
- Infant mortality was 2.5 higher than in the rest of the city and was the highest rate in California, according to an analysis of birth data from 1992 to 2001; and
- There are more liquor stores than grocery stores, and fresh produce is not readily available.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) recently made it a priority to open a farmer's market in the community.
In addition, the area's YMCA plans to increase services in the community, such as job training for unemployed residents and nutrition counseling for families dealing with obesity and diabetes. However, "service groups find it hard to raise the money they need" to improve services in the area (Lelchuck, San Francisco Chronicle, 5/31). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.