Professional Documents
Culture Documents
H o w t H e U r b a n e n v i r o n m e n t i m pac t s H e a lt H
i n b oy l e H e i g H t s a n D e a s t lo s a n g e l e s
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Acknowledgement
this report was made possible through the
generous support of the california endowment.
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Foreword
The nation is finally waking up to the critical connection between the built
environment and health. First Lady Michelle Obama, in her campaign to end
childhood obesity, specifically stresses the importance of improving the built
environment in communities by providing them with outlets for healthy food and
places where youth can safely play. The federal government’s $400 million
National Healthy Food Financing Initiative goes a step further by providing
funding to support the establishment and expansion of grocery stores in “food
deserts” – under-resourced communities that often lack retail outlets, farmers’
markets, and local gardens. Meanwhile, environmental justice groups in California and
beyond are highlighting the link between the health impacts of air pollution and climate
change on the one hand and communities’ truck traffic and land use patterns on the other.
Los Angeles caught this “place matters” wave early. Since its establishment in the early 1990s, the Community
Coalition of South LA has mobilized residents to close down over 200 liquor stores that contributed to neighborhood
violence. Since 2001, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice has prepared hundreds of community
members to speak up against the ravages of pollution from neighboring rail yards. Most recently in 2008, the L.A. City
Council passed a one year ban on new fast food outlets in a 32 square mile area, hoping to incentivize healthier food
opportunities for over half a million, low-income residents.
With this report, Alliance for a Better Community (ABC) is continuing this tradition of connecting place and health.
It highlights the steps that are needed to alleviate the pressures of the built environment on the health of residents in
Boyle Heights and East LA – communities ringed by polluting freeways, crisscrossed with hazardous industrial
facilities, and lacking basic amenities. The findings are both important and timely – and ABC makes a unique
contribution because the community members themselves played a large role in informing the research; 230 residents
participated in interactive community mapping sessions, providing not only what they saw as problems, but also what
they viewed as potential solutions. The resulting policy ideas are both significant and doable: they stress the importance
of schools as epicenters for healthy living and focus infrastructure improvements on creating buffer zones around both
schools and parks.
Decisions affecting public health and urban planning can last decades, if not centuries. With the shifting sands of
politics, the time for Boyle Heights and East LA to harness the national momentum that connects the built
environment with public health is now. Doing so could make a difference for generations to come.
- Manuel Pastor
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Executive Summary
The Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles (BHELA) Community Health Assessment explores the nexus
between the built environment, public policy, and urban planning in an effort to determine their
impact on the health and wellbeing of residents in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. Through
community engagement efforts, four key findings were identified that inhibit residents’ ability to live
healthy, active lives: 1) inaccessibility to, and shortage of, quality food outlets offering affordable, healthy
food; 2) limited access to safe recreation space; 3) a need for greater public safety; and 4) much needed
improvements to and maintenance of community infrastructure.
Based on the aforementioned findings and the momentum garnered through local efforts, we propose the
following recommendations:
By leveraging existing collaborative efforts, these recommendations can be realized and would ensure that youth
and families are supported in living a safe and healthy lifestyle.
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Introduction
Lush green space, bustling commercial corridors, Heights and East Los Angeles communities.
centralized employment centers, and welcoming schools ABC realizes that a healthy community
and parks create spaces that not only meet the needs of a must holistically support individuals and
community, but also act as the social and economic families in their pursuit to excel
cohesion that supports healthy living. Inversely, when physically, emotionally, academically,
these elements are absent or removed from a economically and socially. is study
neighborhood, an individual’s ability to thrive in their seeks to identify the elements of the
community diminishes. In the communities of Boyle built environmenti, both positive
Heights and East Los Angeles, insufficient access to and negative, that affect healthy
these much needed amenities are key catalysts in living in these two communities,
perpetuating the difficulty residents’ face in living and to provide strategic policy
healthy, vibrant lives. responses.
Community Profiles
Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles are located in the coupled with Boyle Heights’ and East Los Angeles’
area generally known as East Los Angeles, nestled affordable housing costs, made these neighborhoods
tightly between the growing Downtown LA skyline a port-of-entry for many newly-arrived, working poor
to the west and the sprawling San Gabriel Valley to immigrants.
the East. The Los Angeles River, along with five major
freeways (the I-10, State Route 60, US 101, I-710, and Despite the turbulent development of these
the I-5) run through the communities, dissecting communities, residents have not sat idle in seeking to
them geographically and socially.ii The freeway improve their circumstances. Both communities have
construction, which occurred during the first half of extraordinary histories of strong civic engagement, as
the 20th century, displaced one-tenth of residents in evidenced by the civil rights movements that have
the East Los Angeles region and created a housing roots in the area. Cultural pride has also acted as a
shortage, which ultimately led to overcrowding and unifying force throughout their history, beginning with
poor living conditions in the area.iii the early Japanese and Jewish settlers. This pride is
visible through the preservation of ornate cultural
During this same period, the city created a zoning centers, nostalgic murals and the spirited residents
ordinance designating West Los Angeles as a strictly that understand that the richness of their community
residential area, resulting in the development of east goes beyond their collective income.
and south Los Angeles as the site for industry and
working class families employed in the area.
Furthermore, racially restrictive covenantsiv excluded
non-white residents from living in western portions Please see page 18 for map of
of Los Angeles, making the eastside one of LA’s early East L.A./ Boyle Heights project area.
ethnic enclaves. These real estate restrictions
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Boyle Heights
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Despite their tumultuous development, Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles have survived due to their
overwhelmingly rich social capital, historic pride and steadfast community spirit. In addition to these intangible and
unique assets, this region is also home to local resources that can, and should, be leveraged to enhance the built
environment and support and sustain a healthy lifestyle for all residents. Some of these physical assets include East
Los Angeles Community College, the California State University of Los Angeles, the newly constructed Metro Gold
line, local and regional parks, the newly built LAC+USC County Hospital, White Memorial Hospital, three new area
schools and a large newly developed civic center, among other important social and physical assets. These areas are
also home to a large social service network that provides a foundation to build off of and improve.
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Study Design
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11% STREET/SIDEWALK
19% GRAFFITI/VANDALISM
7% TRANSPORTATION
7% OTHER
Community residents were asked to identify the most common environmental design issues they encountered in their
community that act as a barrier to accessing resources.
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Recommendations
Create schools as centers for In addition, because of their close proximity to large
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Efforts should focus on creating active, safe
recreation space that accommodates the activities
and needs of the community. Advocacy efforts
must focus on infrastructure improvements at local
parks (i.e. improved lighting, permanent exercise
equipment, clean park facilities, etc.) and changing
the use of the parks to support community
programs for both passive and active recreation.
The increased use of parks and open space will help
The threat of violence and crime, be it actual or improve the fitness of local residents, and serve as an
perceived, is often a key determinant in whether intervention strategy for youth getting involved in
the community will use local parks and green gangs and crime. Studies have shown that youth
spaces. This fear can create a significant barrier to who participate in physical activity and organized
using local open space for recreation. A study by sports are less likely to have low self-esteem and are
the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention less at risk for engaging in criminal behavior than
found that individuals who perceived their their sedentary counterparts.xxxv
neighborhood as unsafe were more likely to be
physically inactive.xxxiv The same study also found By taking back local parks with alterations to the
that neighborhood safety was one of five key design, maintenance and use of those spaces, local
determinants identified by parents as important parks can once again become comfortable and safe
factors in allowing their children to participate in destinations for families and children to engage in
physical activity. recreational activities.
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In the Schools
Our recommendations have placed schools as the administration to lead community engagement and
leading vehicle in driving the healthy living advocacy efforts on campuses.
movement in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles.
This is due to ABC’s long history working with Each Taskforce would address the immediate and
schools and our success in mobilizing parents, unique health needs of their students and families
families and communities to advocate for changes on and around their campus and would address
on their campuses. For this reason we propose the issues of health and safety, specifically those called
establishment of a Parent and Student Health out in this report. The Taskforce would act as a
Taskforce at school sites or cluster of schools. This permanent vehicle for organized advocacy efforts to
group of parents and youth would partner with local ensure that school sites are not only the place for
community-based organizations and school obtaining a high quality education, but also a space
that supports and promotes healthy living for all
students and their families.
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Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles are in a critical All of these concentrated investments and
state in their history, with tremendous investment collaborative efforts provide an opportunity to
and collaboration currently taking place. In 2009, transform Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles into
Boyle Heights was identified as one of the California healthy, safe and active communities.
Endowment’s 14 sites selected to receive
concentrated funding and support, over the next 10
years, through their Building Healthy Communities
Initiative. This initiative has created an opportunity
for local organizations, policy makers and residents
to work collectively to transform Boyle Heights into
a healthy, prosperous community. This collaborative
provides an additional vehicle to advance the
proposed policy recommendations from this report
and improve the health and wellbeing of Boyle
Heights residents.
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Mission Statement
The Alliance for a Better Community
(ABC) promotes equity for
Latinos in education, health,
economic development and civic
engagement for the betterment
of the Los Angeles region.
Conclusion
Board of Directors
It has become well-known that a poor diet and a
sedentary lifestyle can increase one’s risk for many
ed avila raul F. salinas
chronic diseases. However, participating in social ABC President Managing Shareholder
activities and having easy access to basic amenities President of L.A. Office
that support a healthy and active lifestyle are often Project Restore Adorno, Yoss,
hindered by physical and social uses of spaces and the Alvarado & Smith
urban design of one’s community. arturo vargas
ABC Secretary angela sanbrano
It is important to recognize that many of the barriers Executive Director President
low-income communities face in living a healthy life National Association of National Alliance of
are a result of crime, violence, fear, inadequate food Latino Elected Officials Latino American and
security, education, unsafe housing, poorly maintained Caribbean Communities
sidewalks and streets, crumbling infrastructure, and a Frank Quevedo (NALACC)
ABC Treasurer
lack of economic opportunities. Healthy choices and
michelle siqueiros
behaviors must be nurtured throughout one’s lifetime, maría casillas Executive Director
but without a supportive environment, both President Campaign for College
physically and socially, those healthy behaviors Families in Schools Opportunity
become difficult to maintain.
Hector Flores, m.D. Fernando torres-gil,
Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles are at a pivotal Co-Director ph.D.
moment where traditional norms, community Family Medicine Associate Dean
development practices and flawed public policy can Resident Program UCLA School of
be transformed through the collective efforts of a White Memorial Hospital Public Policy & Social
community poised for action. Through comprehensive Research
community planning, improved urban design, mónica lozano
Publisher & CEO peter villegas
supportive public policy and strategic coordination of
La Opinión First VP & National
resources, healthy behaviors can become the social, Manager
political and cultural norm of these communities that ref rodriguez Community & External
will support a safe and healthy, life for all residents of Founder Affairs Division
Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles for generations Partnership to Uplift J.P. Morgan Chase
to come. Communities (PUC)
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References
i Gold, Eva; Simon, Elaine; Brown, Chris. Successful xiv Healthy City: Information + Action for Social
Community Organizing for School Reform. Strong Change. “Zip Codes: 90033, 90063: Quick
Neighborhoods, Strong Schools. The Indicators Stats.” www.healthycity.org. Nielson Claritas,
Project on Education Organizing. Cross City 2009. Web. 19 July 2010. For the purpose of
Campaign for Urban School Reform, Chicago, IL. this study Boyle Heights is defined by the zip
(2002). codes of 90033 and 90063.
ii Greater East Los Angeles Community Profile. xv School Report Card 08-09: Roosevelt Senior
Los Angeles: Healthy City, 2007. Print. High School. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Unified
ii Spalding, Sophie. “The Myth of the Classic Slum: School District, 2009. Web.
Contradictory Perceptions of Boyle Heights Flats: xvi City of Los Angeles Department of City
1900- 1991.” Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning- Boyle Heights Summary of Land Use.
Architecture 45.2 (1992): 107-119. Print. https://planning.lacity.org/. Web. Accessed
iv Racially restrictive covenants were contractual August, 2010.
agreements among property owners that prohibit the xvii Los Angeles County Department of Planning.
purchase, lease, or occupation of their premises by a “3rd St. Corridor Specific Plan”. June, 2010.
particular group of people, usually African xviii Healthy City: Information + Action for Social xxix “Success Story: Oakland Schools and Healthy
Americans,Mexicans, Jews and other “undesirable” Change. “Zip Codes: 90022, 90023: Quick Food Access Oakland Schools Become Neighborhood
groups. Avila, Eric. “Popular Culture in the Age of Stats.” www.healthycity.org. Nielson Claritas, Produce Markets, Expanding Residents’ Access To
White Flight: Fear and Fantasy in suburban Los 2009. Web. 19 July 2010. For the purpose of Healthy, Affordable Food.” tcenews.calendow.org
Angeles.” University of California Press (2006). data collection East Los Angeles is defined by /pr/tce/document/TCE_SuccessStories_final.pdf.
v Healthy City: Information + Action for Social Change. the zip codes of 90022 and 90023. The California Endowment, n.d.Web. Accessed
“Zip Codes: 90033, 90063: Quick Stats.” xix Los Angeles County Department of Planning. July, 2010
www.healthycity.org. Nielson Claritas, 2009. Web. 19 “3rd St. Corridor Specific Plan”. June, 2010. xxx “Success Story: Modesto’s Healthy Afterschool
July 2010. For the purpose of this study Boyle Programs Modesto Models An Integrated Approach
xx Ibid.
Heights is defined by the zip codes of 90033 To Community Health, Including Dynamic
and 90063. xxi Ibid.
Afterschool Programs And A Gardening Project For
vi Sanchez, George. “What's Good for Boyle Heights is xxii Ibid. At-Risk Youth Planting “Seeds For The Future.”
Good for the Jews: Creating Multiracialism on the xxiii School Report Card 08-09: Garfield High tcenews.calendow.org/pr/tce/document
Eastside during the 1950s.” American Quarterly 56.3 School. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Unified School /TCE_SuccessStories_final.pdf. The California
(2004): 633-661. Print. District, 2009. Web. Endowment, n.d.Web. Accessed July, 2010
vii Ibid. xxiv Los Angeles County Department of Planning. xxxi Goetz Katherine and Joelle Wolstein. “Street Vendors
viii City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning- “3rd St. Corridor Specific Plan”. June, 2010. in Los Angeles: Promoting Healthy Eating in L.A.
Boyle Heights Community Area, Local Population and xxv Ibid. Communities.” Department of Public Policy, UCLA
Housing Profile. https://planning.lacity.org/. Web. School of Public Affairs. Funded by The Lewis Center
xxvi For the purpose of this report, the term for Regional Policy Studies, UCLA. Los Angeles, CA,
Accessed August, 2010. “health” will be used in its broadest sense to March 2007. http://lewis.spa.ucla.edu
ix Healthy City: Information + Action for Social Change. include not only the physical condition of an
“Zip Codes: 90033, 90063: Quick Stats.” individual, but also their social, mental, and xxxi Creating a Healthy Food Zone around Schools: A Fact
www.healthycity.org. Nielson Claritas, 2009. Web. 19 economic wellbeing that holistically comprise Sheet for Advocates. National Policy and Legal
July 2010. For the purpose of this study Boyle an individual’s ability to thrive. This Anaylsis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity,
Heights is defined by the zip codes of 90033 and comprehensive approach to health is key to 2008. Web.
90063. identifying the root causes of disease and xxxiii A Healthy Food Financing Initiative: An Innovative
x Ibid. chronic ailments and to developing successful Approach to Improve Health and Spark Economic
solutions to the health disparities in our most Development www.trfund.com/financing/realestate
xi Ebbeling, C. and Pawlak, D. “Childhood Obesity:
vulnerable populations. /HealthyFoodFinancing_2_17_10.pdf. Web.
public-health crisis, common sense cure.” The Lancet,
xxvii Salgado, C.J. “Open Letter: Manganese In East Accessed August, 2010
360.1 (2002): 473-482.
L.A. Groundwater Unhealthful” Eastern Group xxxiv Duke, J. “Physical Activity Levels Among Children
xii Ibid.
Publications, Eastside Sun, June 19, 2008. Aged 9-13 Years—Selected States, 1996.”Morbidity
xxviii Dataquest:rates For Free And Reduced Meals and Mortality Weekly Report, 48.7 (1999): 143-146
xii Los Angeles County Department of Public
Health, Office of Health Assessment and For The Year 2007-08.” xxxv Nelson, M.C. and Gordon-Larsen, P. “Physical
Epidemiology- “Preventing childhood obesity: http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/, Activity Sedentary Behavior Patterns are Associated
the need to create healthy places- A cities California Departmentof Education, 2010. with Selected Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors.”
Communities Health Report.” October 2007: Accessed July, 2010 Pediatrics. 117.4 (2006): 1281-1290.
4. Print.
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MAP OF
B OY L E H E I G H T S &
E A S T LO S A N G E L E S
PROJECT AREA
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