Maybe there is something to, “Postcode Envy.”
In her song, Royals, Lorde’s declares there is no “postcode envy” but is she correct? She goes on to sing to not being “proud of my address in a torn up town.” It has been interesting to us that lately we have found several articles addressing the variance of health figures, depending on zip codes.
While not being sure what Lorde’s means by a “torn up town”, a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) discusses recent data from the Jacksonville Florida area, that demonstrates that a zip code may have more influence on your longevity than your genetic code.
The report shows how two Jacksonville Florida areas, eight miles apart, differ by 13 years in average life expectancy. The Ortega area has a life expectancy of 80 years old while the Durkeeville area has a life expectancy of 67 years old. What the Jacksonville leaders are suggesting is that Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) may explain the difference.
These SDOH are explained as “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age.” The SDOH are divided into five areas: Economic Stability, Education Access and Quality, Health Care Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment and Social and Community Content.
Economic Stability: Help people earn steady incomes that allow them to meet their health needs.
Education Access and Quality: Increase educational opportunities and help children and adolescence do well in school.
Health Care Access and Quality: Increase access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services.
Neighborhood and Built Environment: Create neighborhoods and environments that promote health and safety.
Social and Community Context: Increase social and community support.
For further information: https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health
Key Takeaways
When addressing health, Lorde’s may have it wrong.
We need to be aware of how our living surroundings can impact our quality of health.
Knowledge is power!
Best Practices
Become more familiar with individuals and organizations that have an impact on your community.
Request and attend community gatherings/meetings and let your ideas for a better community be known.
“If at first you do not succeed, try, try again”.
Things to Limit
Expecting changes to occur quickly.
Thinking community leaders are mind readers.
Believing that nothing can change.
Quote of the Week
Your longevity and health are more determined by your ZIP code than they are by your genetic code.
~Tom Frieden
In summary, the quality of our health and opportunities to have a positive impact on it are determined by our chosen behaviors and many other factors. Getting involved in creating healthy social environments for our family and community is a health enhancer that all of us can gain from.
Be well,
The paraDocs
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The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer, at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
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