New Population Trend and Community Concerns Discussed at TCC Meeting

The Chinatown Coalition’s 2012 Community and Health Needs Assessment revealed their latest findings at The Chinatown Coalition meeting on July 12.

Beverly Wing from TCC reported on updates of the assessment, which highlighted health concerns of the community as well as feedback fromChinatownresidents on the quality of life.

According to Wing, the objective of the assessment is to analyze population changes and new demographics for Chinatown residents since the last community needs assessment in 1994.

She mentioned that the group collected data from three sources: population data from the U.S. Census, ACA and NSA to develop a triennial comparison of the population over a 30 year period, community data from a broad representation of community stakeholders who participated in focus groups, and available health data from the Boston Public Health Commission.

As shown in the Census data, the Chinatown population increased 30 percent between 2000 and 2010. Among all race groups, the Caucasian population has the largest increase of 90 percent, in which the overall percentage climbed from 28.9 percent to 38 percent. The percentage of seniors (aged 65 and older) residing in Chinatown rose to 15 percent in 2010 after a dip in 2000 to 8.3 percent.

They conducted seven focus groups to identify the community assets and strengths as well as concerns for the community and participants themselves. The focus groups concluded that the two leading concerns are personal and public safety; and the need for more affordable housing and family housing.

Different focus groups also raised different priorities. Youth raised additional issues such as the need for jobs, education or training opportunities that led to jobs for adults, and the prevalence of smoking in the community. Residents and business representatives identified garbage as the primary concern and its impact on safety, health and business. Parents and seniors suggested the need for public toilets. Adult English learners expressed interest in and the need for recreational activities such as dancing.

The collected health data indicated that cancer remains the leading cause of death, with lung cancer the leading diagnosis. Two infectious diseases- tuberculosis and hepatitis B- also have a significantly higher incidence in the Asian community than the general population.

An official summary report of the 2012 Community and Health Needs Assessment will be published in September.

This post is also available in: Chinese