Neighborhood Profiles
Neighborhoods Matter
Neighborhoods are important. Where you live shapes your lifestyle and habits. Social and physical environments, including access to healthcare, parks, and other health-promoting resources, play a major role in your health.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s catchment, or service, area is South Florida, a region that spans over 10,000 square miles and is located within the Southeast “corner” of the Florida peninsula. Sylvester’s catchment area is made up of four counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe.
South Florida is a unique place. It features vibrant diversity that can’t be found anywhere else. South Florida is home to more than six million people, or approximately one-third of Florida’s entire population, and includes a mix of urban and rural counties. Nearly half of all people living in South Florida were born outside of the United States, and more than half speak a language other than English as their primary tongue.
Factors Affecting Health
In South Florida, there are many factors that affect the health of neighborhood residents, and impact people’s ability to prevent, detect and treat diseases such as cancer. Some of these factors include:
Age
20% of adults are ages 65 and older – the largest population of individuals in this age group in the U.S.
Household Income
Median household income is $48,431 (compared to $53,889 for the U.S.)
Poverty
14% of people live below the federal poverty line (compared to 11% for the U.S.)
Unemployment
11% of people in South Florida are unemployed (compared to 9% for the U.S.)
Uninsured
24% of individuals don’t have health insurance (compared to 13% in the U.S.)
Smoking
21% of South Floridians smoke (compared to 15% in the U.S.)
Physical Activity
27% of people report no leisure time for physical activity (compared to 23% in the U.S.)
Neighborhood Snapshots
The following are a few of the neighborhoods in South Florida where you may come across the Game Changer Vehicle:
Little Haiti
Home to many Haitian immigrants and their families, Little Haiti has become one of the cultural hearts of the Haitian diaspora. About 42 percent of residents were born outside of the United States, and over 60% speak a language other than English at home. However, the neighborhood is also experiencing new development resulting in changing demographics and over 40% of the housing units being considered vacant. Here, about 40% did not have health insurance.
Florida City
The southernmost municipality in South Florida, Florida City is a major agricultural area that serves as a mainland entrance to the Florida Keys. Florida City is home to large Black/African-American (53%) and Hispanic (44%) populations. With 29% uninsured, Florida City has the highest rate of new cancer cases and cancer deaths among neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County.
Hialeah
The sixth largest city in Florida, Hialeah has the highest percentage of Cuban and Cuban American residents of any city in the United States (76%). In 2016, 93% of residents reported speaking Spanish at home. Over 35% do not have health insurance.
Miami Beach
Known around the world for its beach resorts and Art Deco architecture, Miami Beach is an island city connected to mainland Miami-Dade County through bridges. A popular tourist destination, Miami Beach attracted 8.6 million visitors in 2016 – far exceeding its estimated 91,500 residents. About 27% do not have health insurance.