Older New York City Housing Authority Residents Have Higher Rates of Poor Health Than Older City and Nationwide Residents

Percentage of aged adults 65 or over who describe their health status as fair or poor based Self-Reported Health Status Report.*

Aged Adults 65+                                            Health Described as Fair or Poor

NYCHA Residents                                                                 61%

New York City Residents                                                      40

United States Residents                                                         26

 *Self-reported health status is a reliable indicator of physical and mental health. Although predictive power varies slightly depending on demographic characteristics, those who describe their health as fair or poor generally have worse health outcomes than those with a self-reported health status of excellent, very good, or good.

Source: CUNY School of Public Health, NYCHA, NYC Depart of Health and Mental Hygiene, and NYC Depart for the Aging. (May, 2011). Health of Older Adults in New York City Public Housing: Findings from the New York City Housing Authority Senior Survey. Retrieved July 13, 2011 from http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/senior-report-nycha.pdf