HEALTH EQUITY
H
ealthy People 2020 defines health equity as the, “attainment of the highest level of health for all people.” This research began with a definition to help interpret characteristics of resident health . The data collected is categorized as either a health outcome, or a factor that contributes to a health outcome. Factors contributing to health outcomes are divided into two types, those related to one’s physical environment, and those related to one’s social environment. This is simply a way to organize observations relating to health, as these groupings often overlap. Since most health data is collected at the county level, it is difficult to identify health outcomes specific to residents of the city. There are, however, several reports identifying existing conditions related to the City of Camden, used in this report.
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CAMDEN EQUITY | EXISTING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
At birth, Camden residents risk exposure to a harsh and harmful environment. Exposures that pose the most threat to Camden residents are those related to lead, air particulate matter, unsafe drinking water, and contaminated soil. Children,
as a result, face a 1:14 risk of developing an asthma-related illness, while the overall rate of asthma in Camden is two and a half times the state’s rate. In 2002 elevated levels of lead found in the drinking water of some Camden City schools prompted the school district to provide bottled water to their students. According to, New Jersey Future, a New Jersey non-profit organization promoting smart growth policies, Camden City Public Schools have a reported nineteen points of discharge that tested positive for lead contamination. The lead contamination is believed to be caused by pipes that carry the drinking water.
COOPER UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Image retrieved from Google Maps
At a cost of $75,000 a year, bottled water is a more expensive alternative than a long term solution. Cherry Hill had similar problems with lead contamination, and has responded with a remediation plan that includes the replacement of old pipes. As of March 2017, Camden has yet to propose a formal strategy to remove lead contamination from city schools. According to an environmental justice report from the EPA, Camden is among the worst-ranked municipalities in the nation regarding minority resident exposure to environmental hazards. The EPA measures the proximity of minority, low-income, and linguisitically isolated populations
CAMDEN EQUITY | EXISTING CONDITIONS
WATER DELIVERY TO CAMDEN SCHOOLS Water bottles await delivery to Camden County schools. Photo by the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
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