Sunday, January 20, 2008

Question 1: Priority Population

Q: How can we better reach the entire minority population of Pittsburgh? Many of our interventions seem to be focused in the East End?

Response:
I made a strategic decision to focus on the African American population because it is the largest minority population and where the most significanct health disparities exist. In order to demonstrate effectiveness we must first begin where the problem is most obvious and that is in black neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh. For the purpose meeting the goals and objectives of our grants (NIH and Foundations) the "entire population" constitutes 10,000 African Americans. As of December 2007, our Healthy Black Family Project had enrolled approximately 6,000 African Americans (60% of our target goal!).

According to Pittsburgh’s Racial Demographics: Differences and Disparities (2007), a recent report by the Center for Race and Social Problems in the UPITT School of Social Work, presents data on the four racial/ethnic groups (Whites, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics) and for four geographic areas (city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the U.S.). For the most part, Pittsburgh lacks racial/ethnic diversity compared to other cities and the nation. We are for the most part a Black / White town as illustrated in the table below.

Online Source: http://www.crsp.pitt.edu/downloads/demographics/Demographics_Complete.pdf


Blacks make up approximately 12% of the population in Allegheny County and 27% of the population in the city of Pittsburgh. Hispanics and other minority groups are 1-2% of the population. Additionally, Whites and African Americans in the Pittsburgh region live largely in racially segregated communities. This is the reason CMH collaborated with the Allegheny County Health Department to create the Health Empowerment Zone (HEZ). Over 80% of African American live in the East End neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. With limited resources and a target date of 2010 to demonstrate results, we decided to beging our efforts where most African Americans live.

Thus, the Kingsley Association and Hosanna House is where we established our Healthy Black Family Project base of operation. In 2007, we received approval from The Pittsburgh Foundation to expand into the Hill District and the Northside. This expansion constitutes a citywide reach into black neighborhoods across the city.

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