Running Head: Case Study 1

CASE STUDY
ALEJANDRA AGUILAR
HSCI 663: PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
WINTER 2018
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Abstract:

The population at study is recently-immigrated Latino adults within the last five years in

the city of East Los Angeles. The case study analyzes the importance of public health education

to the population. In the following case study population geographic area, socioeconomic status,

presence of chronic diseases within the population are included to further understand the

populations needs. The following case study will also cover what the food environment looks

like, physical activity environment, the built environment, current and previous health

interventions that are being conducted in the city, and lastly will also cover the political and

environmental factors that influence the population’s health.

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I. Population

a. Geographic area

The population at study is recently-immigrated Latino adults in the last five years in the city of

East Los Angeles. The county of Los Angeles is vastly alone composed primarily of Latinos.

The Geographic area of the population at study is the city of East Los Angeles in California.

According to the United States Census, East Los Angeles has a population of approximately 125,

897 as of the year 2000. The city of East Los Angeles ranks number one in the county of Los

Angeles with the highest percentage of Latinos. The surrounding cities of East Los Angeles

include, Alhambra, Montebello, Boyle Heights, Commerce, El Sereno, Monterey Park, and

Vernon. According to the U.S. Census East Los Angeles has approximately 7.45 land area in

square miles. Population per square mile is approximately of 16,984.

II. Socioeconomic Status

b. Education and Income

The United States Census reports that the socioeconomic status of residents in the area in relation

to the populations overall education is 3.7% of residents 25 years and older have obtained a four-

year degree. According to the United States Census, 43, 943 have less than high school, 11, 599

have completed high school, 8,469 have some college, 1,760 have a bachelor’s degree, and lastly

687 have a master’s degree or higher. The city of East Los Angeles, has a median age of 25 and

is the average for the East side of Los Angeles but in comparison to the rest of the county of Los

Angeles the median age is young. In the city of East Los Angeles, there are 4,749 families

headed by single parents and the percentage of never married males, and never married females

are among the highest in the county of Los Angeles. The median household income is
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approximately $38, 621. Of which, approximately 61, 239 of the residents in the city of East Los

Angeles are foreign born (United States Census).

III. Chronic Diseases

The city of East Los Angeles has always been known for waves of immigration. According to

PBS SoCal, is the largest Hispanic community in the United States. According to the United

States Census, approximately 28.6% of the population in East Los Angeles do not have

healthcare insurance under the age of 65. The department of Public Health, Los Angeles

reported that approximately more than half-million households with incomes less than 300% of

the federal poverty level are food insecure. The department of Public Health currently has a

health program for Cardiovascular Disease. Low vision and blindness was found among adults

in the Los Angeles County. In relation to the population being studied of adult recently

immigrated Latinos within the last five years it is well known that higher incidence of chronic

diseases exists. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that heart disease and

cancer are typically the two leading causes of death in relation to Latinos and whites but higher

death rates are associated with diabetes, chronic liver disease, kidney disease in the Latino

community.

IV. Food Environment

The CDC states that, “of the approximately 10 million residents of Los Angeles County, 18%

live below the poverty threshold. Forty-eight percent of the population is Hispanic/Latino; 29%,

non-Hispanic White; 10%, African American; and 11% Asian.” The food environment in the city

of East Los Angeles as well as County of Los Angeles according to the CDC is predominantly

composed of Fast-food outlets within non-walkable distances (3.0 miles) and convenience stores

within walkable distances (0.25 miles). The CDC reports that on average, in a radius of 0.5
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miles there were 1.8 fast-food outlets, 0.5 convenience stores, 2.2 food stores, 0.1 midsize

grocery stores, and 0.7 supermarkets. The lower the income of residents the more outlets of all

types were available. Using the California Department of Public Health GIS mapping, it was

clear to see that in the city of East Los Angeles the food environment consisted of exactly what

was reported with the CDC. A high number of fast food establishments, convenience stores and

in some areas of the city food deserts.

V. Physical Activity

Recommendations for physical activity according to the CDC suggest adults achieve 150

minutes of exercise a week of moderate intensity exercise or at least 30 minutes a day. For

children and adolescents, the recommendation is 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Physical

Activity in the city of East Los Angeles can be a challenge as most Los Angeles County

residents spend most their time traveling and commuting. This reduces the amount of time

available for adults to get exercise. In the County of Los Angeles only 39% of adults meet the

recommended criteria of physical activity. 61% of residents in the County of Los Angeles did

not meet the recommended criteria for physical activity according to the Los Angeles County

Department of Health Services. The city of East Los Angeles accounts for a large majority of

Latinos of which the physical activity in adults accounted for 44% of sedentary physical activity

and by far the highest percentage of sedentary physical activity was among Latinos.

VI. Built Environment

The consequences of urban sprawl in the County of Los Angeles are evident by the amount of

time that Los Angeles County residents spend on traveling and commuting. Thus, reducing the

amount of time that can be allocated to exercise or personal hobbies. The city design of Los

Angeles County is an extremely commuted area due to the large accessibility to different cities,
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counties, and a large connection to multiple freeways. Since the County of Los Angeles is

highly trafficked there is also a large availability of public transportation such as the Metro

buses, trains, etc. The lack of physical activity and poor diet have resulted in increased health

issues. The city of East Los Angeles as of 2007 has above 25% obesity prevalence according to

the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department

of Parks and Recreation. Being obese increases the risk for type two diabetes, cardiovascular

disease, and other health conditions. Since it is heavily trafficked there is also an increase of risk

for respiratory diseases due to smog, poor air quality. Research collected has demonstrated that

Latinos in East Los Angeles are already less active resulting in more health problems and Latino

immigrants are probably at double the risk due to a more modernized form of lifestyle.

VII. Public Health Interventions

There currently is a health intervention in place in the county of Los Angeles that focuses on

reducing the rates of tuberculosis in the county and one of the objectives includes to lower the

number of immigrants that acquire tuberculosis in the county. The health intervention while it

may not be focusing on the previously discussed chronic diseases such as type two diabetes,

cardiovascular diseases it is still a health concern. According to the Los Angeles County of

Public Health, high risk groups include homeless, newly arrived immigrants, refugees, persons

with HIV/AIDS, and persons undergoing substance abuse rehabilitation. The Department of

Public Social Services for the County of Los Angeles has information on their webpage

regarding agencies such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles where

non-citizens with questions regarding eligibility for health and government benefits can find help

and information. There are other agencies such as county of Los Angeles Department of Public

Health, office of women’s health, the legal aid foundation of Los Angeles, and Asian Americans
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advancing justice that also provide help to non-citizens in the county of Los Angeles. There is

currently also an intervention being done on preventing violence. The program is being done by

Department of parks and recreation with help from the Department of Public Health, Los

Angeles and is called Parks after dark, the overall goal is to prevent violence while promoting

healthy, active living in the city of Los Angeles.

VIII. Factors

The factors that strongly influence the population’s health is the overall environmental

surroundings. As previously mentioned the consequences of urban sprawl in the county of Los

Angeles are strongly evident by the amount of time that residents in the county spend on

traveling and commuting. According to the INTRIX Global Traffic scoreboard, Los Angeles

commuters spent in 2017 more than 100 hours a year in traffic jams more than any other city in

the world. The geographical aspect of Los Angeles is not entirely at fault for the populations

health but the fact that the city itself is extremely commutable does create health issues in the

population. The county of Los Angeles Public Health Department also considers that social and

economic factors affect the populations health which may be correlated to the political aspect.

The county of Los Angeles, Public Health Department reports that many residents in the county

must face choices between paying health care insurance or paying their rent. The adults who had

difficulty paying for housing faced significantly increased difficulty affording health services.

An increased collaboration across government agencies at all levels and stakeholders is

necessary from community groups, public health agencies, and private groups to establish a

coordinated approach to housing as a determinant of health in the County of Los Angeles.

Policies that increase the economic security for residents in the County of Los Angeles by
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helping increase employment opportunities and wages would also help to work at improving the

populations health.

IX. Conclusion

To help decrease complications and improve the overall health of recently immigrated Latinos

(within five years) it is essential to make sure that public health is involved. The county of Los

Angeles is highly populated with Latinos and for that same matter it is important to understand

how to approach the needs of the population to help as many people that may be faced with

limited resources. Being a recently immigrated person has already huge barriers alone, the idea

of relocating and having to learn a new language, new rules, and in this case living in a city such

as East Los Angeles can be overwhelming. With more help and education public health can

have a very important impact on such population.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, April 26). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/

Current Physical Activity Guidelines. (2016, November 29). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/policies_practices/physical_activity/guideli

nes.htm

(n.d.). INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. Retrieved from http://inrix.com/scorecard/

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chronic

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://gis.cdph.ca.gov/cnn

QuickFacts. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/eastlosangelescdpcalifornia/PST045216