South Park Super Neighborhood

Home , Death (South Park), South Park (pinball)

City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services 1999-2003 Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness

CommunityCommunity HealthHealth ProfilesProfiles

Providing Health Information for Community Action Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

This community health profile highlights impor- Introduction tant health issues facing the residents of the South Park Super Neighborhood.

In Houston, a “super neighborhood” is a geographically defined area where residents, civic organizations, institutions and businesses work together to identify, plan, and set priorities to address the needs and concerns of their community. The boundaries of each super neighborhood rely on major physical features such as bayous or freeways to group together contigu- ous communities that share common physical characteristics, identity or infrastructure. South Park Super Neighborhood will hereinafter be referred to as “South Park”.

It is the intention of the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS), in devel- oping health profiles such as this, to promote a better understanding by local residents, community-based organizations, community leaders, medical providers, and the public health community of the unique character and circumstances of our various communities, and to draw atten- tion to those matters that contribute to the great- est of health disparities among the citizens of our growing, culturally and ethnically diverse city.

Table of Contents This profile also represents an effort on the part of HDHHS to provide a “baseline” of indicators of health in our communities, against which future trends in conditions can be measured and Community Resources………...... 3 monitored, and appropriate public health ac- The Super Neighborhood at a Glance..….4 tions, taken. Major Causes of Death…………….…..….6 Years of Potential Life Lost…….….…..….7 We hope that this health profile will support Maternal and Child Health...... …….….....8 these efforts in South Park and across the City Births to Teen Mothers…….…….....…..…9 of Houston. Infant Mortality…………………….…...... 10 Leading Causes of Hospitalization……...11 Crime………………………...………….....12 Tuberculosis……………………………….13 Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A. Drowning and Submersions……....…..…13 Director Food-related Illness……………………....13 Houston Department of Health and Environmental Health & Safety……….…14 Human Services HIV/AIDS……………………………….….15 Gonorrhea………………………………....16 Syphilis……………………………………..17 Chlamydia……………………………….…18 Technical Notes…………………………...19

2 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

The health of a community depends to a great Community Resources extent upon the availability and accessibility of its resources.

The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 3 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

South Park The total population of South Park was 21,991, according to the 2000 census.* at a Glance

65+ Yrs 0-4 Yrs 60-64 11% 7% Age 5-9 Yrs Yrs 9% 6% At the time of the 2000 census, one-third of 50-59 10-19 South Park residents were under the age of Yrs Yrs 20. More than half (56%) were between 20 12% 17% and 64 years of age, and 11% were 65 or 40-49 older. Yrs 20-29 30-39 12% Yrs Yrs 13% 13% Race, Ethnicity, National Origin

White Non- Hispanic Hispanic The majority of residents in South Park were 1% Black. Hispanics were the second largest eth- 16% nic group, though they comprised only 16% of Asian and other Non- the population; 2% were of other races. Hispanic

1% Of the total population, 75% were native Tex- ans; 9% were foreign born.

Black Non- Hispanic 82%

Employment

A large proportion (55%) of South Park resi- Not in the Employed dents, ages 16 and over, were either unem- Labor Force 45% ployed or were not in the labor force in 1999. 48%

Unemployed 7%

* Data Source: U.S. Census 2000. Total population was calculated from census block-level data using Summary File 1. For pur- poses of describing demographics using Summary File 3, the super neighborhood is defined by the following census geographies: Tracts 3321 through 3324; Tract 3318, Block Group 2; Tract 3319, Block Groups 2 & 3; and Tract 3320, Block Groups 1 & 2.

4 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Poverty Inc ome les s Inc ome than the poverty level Twenty-eight percent of the population in greater than or equal to 28% South Park was below the poverty level in tw ice the 1999. Fifty-seven percent of all residents poverty level in the super neighborhood had incomes 43% less than twice the poverty level.

Of those living below the poverty level, Inc ome 40% were children under 18 years of age; greater than 9% were adults 65 and older. the poverty level but less than tw ice the poverty level 29%

Education

Forty percent of South Park residents, Graduate degree and higher 2% ages 25 and over, reported that they had not graduated from high school. Bachelor degree 4%

Nearly one-third (32%) of residents reported a high school diploma (or the Associate degree 3% equivalent) as their highest level of educa- tional attainment. Some college, no degree 19%

Twenty-eight percent of residents had High school graduate / equivalent 32% attained education beyond the high school level, with 9% earning a college degree. 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 25%

Less than 9th grade 15%

Percent of Residents (25 and older)

Moved from Population Stability Moved from different different State Moved from county in 1% elsew here Texas The majority (71%) of the residents of South Park 1% 2% had lived in the same house since 1995. One- quarter moved to South Park from other locations Moved from in Harris County between 1995 and 1999. other location in Same Four percent of residents moved to the area from Harris house outside Harris County between 1995 and 1999. County since 1995 25% 71%

Data Source: U.S. Census 2000, Summary File 3

The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 5 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

During the years 1999-2003, the residents of the super Major Causes of neighborhood had higher overall and cause-specific annual average mortality rates from leading causes than that of Houston Death as a whole.

Leading Causes of Mortality, South Park, Houston, Texas, 1999-2003

South Park - South Park Houston Houston Rank Cause of Death Deaths Rates* Rates* Rates All Causes 1232 1386.7 898.2 488.5 1 Heart Disease 358 401.9 262.0 139.9 2 Cancer 313 326.9 197.6 129.3 3 Stroke 87 107.3 76.0 31.3 4 Accidents 56 55.8 34.8 21.0 5 Diabetes Mellitus 45 55.5 28.0 27.5 Chronic Lower Respiratory 6 36 39.5 31.9 7.6 Disease 7 Kidney Disease 27 33.6 15.8 17.8 8 Homicide 33 32.5 11.1 21.4 9 Septicemia 26 29.5 18.1 11.4 10 Influenza and Pneumonia 22 - - 20.0 - -

Other Causes of Death of Particular Interest, South Park, Houston, Texas, 1999-2003

South Park - South Park Houston Houston Cause of Death Deaths Rates* Rates* Rates Coronary Heart Disease 212 243.4 174.1 69.3 Bronchus-Lung Cancer 100 96.5 52.8 43.7 Motor Vehicle Accident 25 24.5 13.2 11.3 Firearm Related 23 - - 7.4 - - Drug-Induced Cause 9 - - 8.2 - - Cervical Cancer 6 - - 2.2 - -

*Age-adjusted mortality rates: annual average deaths per 100,000 population; census 2000 populations as the denominators; age-adjusted to the 2000 US Standard Million; deaths with known age and disease information. - - Numbers of deaths were too small for rate calculation.

Data Sources: Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics; US Census, 2000 6 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) is an indicator of prema- Years of Potential ture mortality. This indicator suggests social and economic loss owing to premature death. It also gives information on Life Lost (YPLL) the specific causes of deaths affecting younger age groups.

Leading Causes Houston Rate of Years of Potential Life Lost of Premature YPLL YPLL YPLL Death Rate* Rate** Rate** (YPLL Rate)

Heart Disease 1522.9 1623.9 689.3 At every age of death, there is a certain number Cancer 1284.4 1358.8 816.3 of years of “expected life” that are not lived, and are therefore “lost”. The amount of lost years of Accidents 1130.9 1234.6 779.0 life often differ by cause of death. Many people Homicide 983.5 1075.4 407.5 consider death before the age of 65 years as HIV/AIDS 627.4 736.1 335.1 premature. In this community, more years of life were lost prematurely due to heart disease, can- Conditions cer, accidents, homicide and HIV/AIDS related Originating in the 515.8 - - - Perinatal Periods deaths in this community than any other causes.

Stroke 255.9 - - - The age-adjusted annual average YPLL rates Suicide 195.5 - - - for heart disease, cancer, accidents, homicide Chronic Lower and HIV/AIDS were higher in the super Respiratory 163.7 - - - neighborhood than those in Houston overall. Disease Comparison of other age-adjusted YPLL rates is Chronic Liver not possible because of the relatively small 163.7 - - - Disease-Cirrhosis number of deaths occurring before age 65 in Specific Causes of Interest South Park. YPLL is not reported where fewer than 5 deaths occurred. Firearm Related 817.7 - - - Motor Vehicle 795.2 - - - Accident Leading Male YPLL Female YPLL Coronary Heart Causes of Rates Rates 699.0 712.8 376.1 Disease Premature (number of (number of Death § deaths) deaths) Bronchus-Lung 426.8 455.4 153.2 Cancer Heart Disease 2056.6 (84) 1042.4 (47) Drug-Induced Accidents 1840.6 (34) 492.0 (11) 160.7 - - - Cause Homicide 1477.6 (23) 538.7 (9) NOTE: Special cause of death categories may not be mutually exclusive. * Crude annual average YPLL per 100,000 population under age 65 years. Cancer 1378.3 (61) 1199.9 (64) ** Age-adjusted annual average YPLL per 100,000 population under age of 65, standardized for 2000 US Standard Million. HIV/AIDS 1054.2 (21) 243.1 (5) - - Number of deaths too small for age-adjustment. Specific Causes of Interest - Houston data not presented because comparison data were not available for the community. Firearm Related 1326.4 (18) 359.8 (5) Motor Vehicle 1250.8 (18) 385.1 (6) Differences in YPLL rates between Accident Men and Women, 1999-2003 Coronary Heart 1071.5 (47) 363.7 (19) Disease Premature deaths from heart disease, accidents, § homicide, cancer and HIV/AIDS had higher im- Ranked by Male YPLL Rate pact on annual average YPLL rates among males Note: Annual average YPLL rates might be unstable due to small number of premature deaths. than females in this community.

Data Sources: Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics; US Census, 2000 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 7 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Prenatal care is the care a woman gets during pregnancy. Maternal and Child Both prenatal care and birth weight are good indicators of a newborn’s chances of survival, growth, long term health, Health and psycho-social development.

80% 75.0% Entry into Prenatal Care by 72.5% 72.5% Trimester of Pregnancy, 70% 1st Trimester 1999-2003 60% 2nd Trimester

3rd Trimester A slightly higher proportion of White 50% women (75.0%) than Black (72.5%) and No Inf ormation 40% Hispanic (72.5%) women in South Park No Prenatal Care entered prenatal care during the first tri- 30% 17.2% 22.4% mester. A small proportion of Black and 5.0% 20% Hispanic women entered prenatal care 10.0% 2.1% 1.9% 10.0% 5.3% very late in their pregnancy, or received 10% 1.5%

Percentage Entering Prenatal Care 2.9% no care at all. However, 10% of White <1% 1.7% women entered prenatal care in the third 0% trimester. White Black Hispanic

Low Birth Weight Births 14% 13.0% (LBWB), 1999-2003 12%

Thirteen percent of live births in South 10% Park were of low birth weight (2500 8.1% 8% grams or less), which was 60% higher Healthy People 2010 Goal than Houston as a whole. Both were 6% <5.0% above the Healthy People 2010 goal of less than 5% of live births being low 4% weight. 2%

0% Percentage of Births Birth With Low Weight South Park Houston

Low birth weight is a factor significantly related to infant mortality. Infants born with low birth weights are at increased risk for serious health problems and long term disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and respiratory, vision, and hearing problems. Low birth weight and infant mortality are therefore among the most important indicators of a community’s health.

Data Source: Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics, 1999-2003 8 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Teenage childbearing is associated with negative consequences for Births to Teen the children born of teen mothers. In addition, there are important social and economic costs to individuals as well as the society as a Mothers result of births to teenage mothers.

10-14 Years 160 147.6 South Park 40-49 Years Old 15-17 Years 140 Old 1% Old Houston 118.8 120 1% 8% 100 30-39 Years 18-19 Years Old Old 80 20% 57.0 13% 60 48.1 40 Births per 1,000 females 20 2.8 1.9 20-29 Years 0 Old 10-14 Years Old 15-17 Years Old 18-19 Years Old 57%

Births by Age of Mother,1999-2003 Births to Teen Mothers,1999-2003

A total of 2,043 births were recorded over The annual average birth rate for 15-17 the period 1999-2003 among mothers in year-old teens in South Park (57.0 per South Park. One out of every 5 of these 1,000 females aged 15 to 17 years) was births was to a young mother (10-19 years 19% higher than the rate in Houston over- of age). all. The birth rate among 18-19 year-old females in South Park was 24% higher than the total Houston rate.

Births to Teen Mothers by Super Neighborhood, 1999-2003

South Park was among the neighborhoods with elevated annual average rates of births to teen mothers (15-17 years of age).

Data Sources: Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics; US Census 2000 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 9 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Infant mortalitymortality annualis the deathaverage of rateinfant iss thein thedeath first of year infants of life.in the Infant first Infant Mortality mortalityyear of life. rate It is(IMR) one ofis the one most of theimportant most importantindicators ofindicators the health of ofthe a community.health of a community. The Healthy The People Healthy 2010 People goal is2010 to eliminate goal is to disparities eliminate amongdisparities racial in infantand ethnicmortality groups among with racial infant and mortality ethnic groups.rates (IMR) The abovetargeted the groups national are average. African Americ The targetedan, American groups Indian, are African Alaskan Ameri- Na- can,tive and American Puerto Indian, Rican populations.Alaskan Native and Puerto Rican populations.

Infant Mortality Rate, 1999-2003 14 South Park The annual average infant mortality 11.7 12 Houston rate in South Park was 26% higher 10.5 than Houston’s IMR and 73% higher 10 than the Healthy People 2010 goal of 7.8 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. 8 Healthy People Ninety-four percent (94%) of all infant 6.2 6 2010 goal deaths were among Blacks in this <4.5 community. The annual average IMR 4 among Blacks was 10% lower than that of Blacks in Houston overall. In- 2 fant mortality rates among other races/ethnicities were unreliable due Infant Deathsbirths per live 1,000 0 to small numbers of infant deaths, and Black All Races/Ethnicities are therefore not reported.

Infant Mortality Rate by Super Neighborhood 1999-2003

When compared to the Healthy People 2010 goal, South Park was among the neighborhoods with high annual average infant mortality rates.

Data Source: Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics

10 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Much of the information on health issues that the super Leading Causes of neighborhood residents face on a daily basis is not readily available. The leading causes of hospitalization Hospitalization provide a partial picture of those conditions.

Principal Diagnosis, Multiple Level Counts Clinical Classification of ICD 9

1 Diseases of the circulatory system 2624 In South Park, during the years 1999-2002, the Diseases of the heart 1696 most common causes of hospitalization were related to issues of cardiovascular and cere- Cerebrovascular disease 443 brovascular diseases, childbirth and perinatal Hypertension 275 period conditions, respiratory infections/ diseases, or mental related disorders. 2 Complications of pregnancy; childbirth; and the puerperium 1743 Note that only the most common conditions are Complications mainly related to pregnancy 561 listed under each major category of diagnosis, Indications for care in pregnancy; labor; and 375 and that the sum of these counts may not delivery equal the total counts for the category. Complications during labor 313 3 Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period 1525 Liveborn 1485 Other perinatal conditions 22 Short gestation; low birth weight; and fetal 10 growth retardation 4 Diseases of the respiratory system 1250 8 Neoplasms 844 Benign neoplasms 253 Respiratory infections 514 Maintenance chemotherapy; 106 Asthma 266 radiotherapy Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Secondary malignancies 97 190 bronchiectasis 9 Diseases of the genitourinary system 600 5 Mental disorders 1041 Diseases of the urinary system 361 Schizophrenia and related disorders 408 Diseases of female genital organs 197 Affective disorders 284 Diseases of male genital organs 42

Other psychoses 115 10 Symptoms; signs; and ill-defined conditions and factors influencing health 6 Diseases of the digestive system 1020 status 581 Lower gastrointestinal disorders 276 Factors influencing health care 360 Symptoms; signs; and ill-defined Upper gastrointestinal disorders 153 221 conditions Biliary tract disease 132

7 Injury and poisoning 957 Complications 480 Fractures 216 Open wounds 60

Data Source: Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Health Care Information Collection

The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 11 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

The crimeThe crimerate in rate urban in urban areas areas is of concis of ernconcern to the to residents, the residents, law enforcementlaw enforcement and Crime the localand government. the local government. Crimes place Crimes stress place on thestress residents on the ofresidents neighborhoods of neighbor- and affect hoodstheir well-being. and affect Of their particular well-being. concer Ofn particularare violent concern crimes arethat violentthreaten crimes residents’ thatlives, threaten such as residents’ those involving lives, such firearms. as those involving firearms.

14.8 Overview of Crime, 1999-2003 16 South Park 14 Houston Narcotic 11.5 Drug Law Alcohol 12 Related Related 10 Violent 7% 1% 8 Crime 6 5.1 12% Crime in 4.3 South 4 Burglary Park 2 10% 0 Violent Crime per residents 1,000 Violent Other Firearm Related Crime All Violent Crime Other Crime Assaults 50% 20% Violent Crime, 1999-2003 Narcotic Drug Law The annual average rate of violent Alcohol Related crime in South Park was 14.8 per 1,000 Violent Related 4% population, 29% higher than the Hous- Crime 1% 9% Crime in ton rate as a whole. The firearm-related Houston violent crime rate in South Park was 5.1 Burglary per 1,000 population, 19% higher than 10% the rate in Houston overall. Other Other Crime Assaults 62% 14%

Rate of Violent Crime by Super Neighborhood,1999-2003

South Park was among the neighborhoods with high annual average rates of violent crime.

Data Source: Houston Police Department

12 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a specific type of bacteria that spreads Tuberculosis from person to person through the air. TB typically affects the lungs but can also affect the brain and other organs. If this disease is left untreated it can be fatal.

From 1999 to 2003, 22 newly-acquired cases of tuberculosis were identified among residents of South Park, representing 1.7% of all cases diagnosed in Houston in that period. The annual average rate in South Park was 20.0 per 100,000 population, compared to 13.6 per 100,000 population in Houston as a whole. Both rates appeared much higher than the national Healthy People 2010 target of 1 case per 100,000 population.

The majority (72.7%) of these cases were Black adults between 20 and 64 years of age.

Data Source: HDHHS, Bureau of TB Control

Drowning and submersion injuries are often unintentional and are Drowning and preventable through increased awareness of precautions that can be Submersion taken in and around bodies of water.

Fewer than 5 drowning or submersion cases were reported among South Park residents from 1999- 2003.

Data Source: HDHHS, Bureau of Epidemiology

Many food-related diseases are easily preventable. Eating well-cooked Food-borne foods, keeping cooking areas free of contamination by thoroughly cleaning surfaces touched by raw meats and poultry, hand washing Diseases before handling food, and avoiding unpasteurized products are some of the measures that people can take to lower their risk of food-related disease.

Typically Reported Number of Food-related diseases are typically under-reported. It is Diseases Cases likely that many more cases occurred from 1999 to 2003 Hepatitis A 12 than were actually reported to health officials. Shigellosis 6 Salmonellosis 9 Amebiasis <5 Vibrio <5

Data Source: HDHHS, Bureau of Epidemiology

The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 13 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Chemical emissions and waste released into the air, soil, Environmental and water can affect everyone. Knowing the locations and types of potential polluters allows residents to better monitor Health and Safety the potential environmental impact on their communities.

Regulated Facilities The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) administer programs which monitor and regulate facilities with the potential to release significant amounts of hazardous chemicals to the environment.

Within one mile of South Park, there are 13 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting facilities, 10 Large Quantity Generators (LQG) of hazardous waste, 3 facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste, and 1 major storm water discharging facility.

These facilities are regulated under one or more of the following federal statutes: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Re- covery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.

The EPA provides reports concerning federally regulated facilities through an online application called Envi- rofacts (www.epa.gov/enviro/ index.html).

Houston Houston Type of Regulated Facility Type of Regulated Facility Count Count Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Facilities 302 Major Dischargers of Air Pollutants 71 (all reporting years) Radioactive Waste Sites 4 Major Storm Water Runoff Facilities 56 Current Superfund Sites 12 Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, 35 Former Superfund Sites 5 or Disposal (TSD) Facilities Active Landfills 9 Large Quantity Generators (LQG) of 132 Inactive Landfills 2 Hazardous Waste Closed Landfills 18

Data Sources: Environmental Protection Agency; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

14 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system and can HIV/AIDS progress to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is primar- ily transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles with someone infected with the virus. It can also be transmitted before or during birth and from breast milk from mother to child. Many of those infected are unaware of their HIV status, and therefore can transmit the disease unknowingly.

120 107.7 Other/ 100 Unknow Unknown n Mother w / 20% HIV Ris k 80 1% 63.3 Hetero- 60 Male to sexual Male Sex Contact 40 & IV Drug 41% Healthy People Use 20 2010 Goal: 3% Male to Cases per 100,000 population 1 new HIV case Male Sex IV Drug 0 20% Use ZIP code 77033 Houston 15%

New HIV Diagnosis Rate, 1999-2003 HIV Risk Factors, 1999-2003

The annual average rate of new HIV diagnosis in Fifty-eight percent of new HIV infections oc- the zip code 77033 (which includes South Park) curred in males in South Park. In one-fifth of was 70% higher than the Houston-wide rate during all cases, the mode of transmission was un- the period 1999-2003; the rate of 107.7 cases per known. Heterosexual contact accounted for 100,000 population was far above the Healthy Peo- about 41% of all reported cases. This was ple 2010 goal of less than 1 new case per 100,000 followed by male-to-male sex (20%) and use population. of IV drugs (15%). Three percent of new infections occurred in those reporting male-to- male sex and IV drug use.

Rates of New HIV Diagnosis by Zip Code*, 1999-2003

The annual average rate of new HIV diagnosis in zip code 77033 was higher than that of many other zip codes in the city.

* Annual average rates are calculated only for those zip codes that Data Source: HDHHS, Bureau of Epidemiology lie predominantly within the boundaries of the city of Houston. The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 15 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. Gonorrhea If untreated, it can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. It also places infected persons at greater risk for HIV. Though rare, it can result in death if untreated.

New Gonorrhea Infection by Age, 700 637 Sex, Race/Ethnicity 600

500 The annual average rate of new gonorrhea cases in South Park was almost 4 times the 400 rate in Houston overall; both rates were 300 much greater than the Healthy People 2010 167 200 goal of less than 19 cases per 100,000 Healthy People population. 100 2010 Goal: <19 Cases per population 100,000 0 South Park Houston

50 yrs and Unknow Unknown n older 1% 1% Gonorrhea Infection by Age, Sex, 19 yrs and Race/Ethnicity 30-49 yrs old younger 24% 30% Blacks in South Park accounted for 93% of new cases. More than half (59%) of all cases occurred in males, and persons aged 20-29 years accounted for most of the cases.

20-29 yrs old 44%

Rates of Gonorrhea Infection by Super Neighborhood, 1999-2003

South Park was among those neighborhoods with the highest annual average rates of infection.

Data Source: HDHHS, Bureau of Epidemiology 16 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is passed from person to Syphilis person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Transmission occurs due to unprotected sex. The sores may also occur in lips and mouth. Untreated syphilis can progress into more serious conditions affecting the nervous system, heart and other organs, seriously impairing health.

19 yrs and 50 yrs and younger 120 100.0 older 6% 100 16% 20-29 yrs old 80 21% 60 38.0 40 Healthy People 20 2010 Goal: <0.2 0 30-49 yrs Cases per population 100,000 South Park Houston old 57%

Rates of New Syphilis Infection, Syphilis Cases by Age, Sex, 1999-2003 Race/Ethnicity

The annual average rate of new syphilis infection Eighty-nine percent of new cases in South in South Park was more than 2.5 times the rate in Park were Black. More males (53%) than Houston overall; both were far higher than the females (47%) were affected by syphilis, Healthy People 2010 goal. and persons aged 30-49 years accounted for more than half of all cases.

Rates of Syphilis by Super Neighborhood, 1999-2003

South Park was among the neighborhoods with the highest annual average rates of infection.

Data Source: HDHHS Bureau of Epidemiology

The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 17 Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Chlamydia is the most frequently reported sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia (STD) in the nation. Women are more commonly screened for the infection than are men, and those 15 to 24 years of age appear to be the most affected, nation-wide. The symptoms are usually mild and not easily recog- nized, causing many with the infection not to seek treatment. If untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility in women.

8,000 Rates of Chlamydia, 6977 South Park 7,000 1999-2003 Houston 6,000 The annual average rate of chlamydia in- 5,000 4621 fection in South Park was 695 per 100,000 4,000 population, almost 2.5 times the rate in 3158 Houston overall. Black women between the 3,000 ages of 15 and 24 years had the highest 2,000 1651 rate of infection in South Park, a rate 51% 695 1,000 higher than that of the same group in Cases per 100,000 population 285 Houston overall. 0 15-24 year old 15-24 year old All Race Groups Black females Hispanic females Chlamydia Infection By Age, Sex, White Other Asian and Race/Ethnicity, 1% 1999-2003 8% <1% Hispanic 9% Eighty-two percent of cases in South Park were Black; 88% of all cases were female. Persons aged 19 years and younger accounted for approximately half (49%) of all cases.

Black 82%

Rates of Chlamydia by Super Neighborhood, 1999-2003

South Park was among the neighborhoods with the highest annual average rates of infection.

Data Source: HDHHS Bureau of Epidemiology

18 The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood Community Health Profiles 1999-2003

Technical Notes The Community Health Profiles Project attempts to provide the most recent statistical information available on the health of communities. The 1999-2003 series represents a “baseline” against which changes in the health indicators of communities can be evaluated over time. Data used to compile this profile are derived from a variety of sources — local, state, and national. These data sources may collect information on different cycles and therefore gaps in available years of data may be observed within a single profile.

Except where noted otherwise, rates are calculated using 2000 census data for each community, including age, race, and sex distributions. Agreement between race/ethnicity classifications in the data used in this report and those derived from the census is imperfect; disease registries do not uniformly capture ethnicity along with race and categories of “Black”, “White,” “Asian,” and “Other” may overlap with “Hispanic” ethnicity. Despite potential overlap, in this profile, “Black” is meant as “non-Hispanic Black,” “White” as “non-Hispanic White,” and “Hispanic” as being persons of any race and of Hispanic/Latino culture and origin. The profiles group a range of years of data and present them, where most appropriate, as annual average incidence of the indicator. If the total number of events is less than five, the associated rate is considered unreliable and is not reported; however for Leading Causes of Death, the minimum number of deaths for reporting age-adjusted rates is set at 25. Statistics presented in profiles of super neighborhoods, medically-underserved areas (MUAs), and other geographies are based upon successful geocoding of the residence of individual cases within the boundaries of those geographic entities. The denominator in all cases is the year 2000 census, as the estimated “average” population for each year of the analysis period. Background Houston rates and Healthy People 2010 goals have been used for most indicators as a standard for comparison.

Mortality data: Mortality data have been obtained at the address level from the Texas Department of State Health Services for 1999-2003. The YPLL statistics are computed using 65 years of age as the end point. Crime data: Data for 1999-2003 have been acquired from the Houston Police Department at the address level of the site of the incident. HIV/AIDS data: As of this report, data were only available at the zip code level.

Other notes Data for a number of additional indicators considered important for a community’s assessment of its health and health planning efforts were not available at the time of printing of this document. These indicators, including various injury indicators, and more community-specific behavioral data are being col- lected or researched for potential inclusion in the future published version of this report.

Community Health Profiles City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services Community-specific public health profiles on medically-underserved areas and the 88 super Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A. neighborhoods of Houston are available from Director the Houston Department of Health and Human Services at www.houstontx.gov/health. Re- Community Health Profiles ports can also be requested by e-mail at we- Produced by [email protected], or by writing to: Community Health Statistics Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness Community Health Statistics Office of Surveillance & Public Health Preparedness Raouf Arafat, M.D., M.P.H. Houston Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Director 8000 N. Stadium Dr., 4th floor Mark Perry, M.P.H. Houston, Texas 77054 Editor

The Health of South Park Super Neighborhood 19 About Community Health Statistics (CHS)

Community Health Statistics (CHS) is a program within the divi- sion of the Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness of the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS). It is comprised of epidemiologists, statisticians, and GIS analysts who acquire data through collaboration with multiple partners within and outside the department for analysis, inter- pretation, and sharing of information on local health issues.

Our mission is to serve the needs of HDHHS, and the needs of the scientific community, and general public as a resource for data and information on the indicators and the determinants of the health and well-being of geographically-defined communities, as well as of other distinct population groups within the city of Houston, Texas.