A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF CHANGES TO HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH STATUS ACROSS A GENTRIFYING CITY

Health, socioeconomic status, and neighborhood characteristics have well-documented associations. Relatedly, limited healthcare access-typically thought of as a rural issue that can exacerbate health conditions and lead to poorer outcomes-also exists in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Over the past several decades, New York neighborhoods have experienced significant economic transformations resulting in higher rents and costs of living in historically low-income neighborhoods. Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope have become national symbols of gentrification. Despite dramatic neighborhood change, there is a surprising lack of evidence suggesting gentrification has directly displaced low-income residents. A Capstone team explored healthcare and health changes for residents of gentrifying neighborhoods. Using data from the Primary Care Service Area Project, the US Census, and the NYC Community Health Survey, the team created a multi-pronged descriptive analysis to explore changes in healthcare availability, utilization, and health status across New York City through the lens of gentrification.