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QUESTION
Council Member De La Rosa Asks About Life Expectancy for Women of Color
1:01:06
ยท
169 sec
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa inquires about life expectancy trends for women of color, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact. Dr. Michelle Morse presents data from the Healthy NYC Initiative, highlighting a concerning decrease in life expectancy citywide since 2020. Women's life expectancy, though still higher than men's, has experienced a decline, with significant racial disparities persisting. The goal is to reach a life expectancy of 83 years by 2030, with ongoing efforts to address these inequities.
Speaker 8
1:01:06
I wanted to ask about life expectancy, and I don't know if you've touched on this because I came a little late.
1:01:11
I was in the transportation hearing.
1:01:13
But we've heard a lot, and our chair has really been focusing a lot about increasing life expectancy for New Yorkers.
1:01:19
And I'm wondering if there's anything that you've looked at in terms of women woman of color in that realm.
Speaker 4
1:01:26
Thank you so much for that question.
1:01:27
Yes.
1:01:27
This is a huge area of concern for us.
1:01:30
Our healthy NYC initiative and the goals around healthy NYC were really all around the concerning decrease in life expectancy that happened as a result of the pandemic, particularly in 2020, but really every year since for the whole entire city, the life expectancy went went down to 78 years in 2020.
1:01:50
As of 2021, life expectancy on average across the city has increased to 80.7 years.
1:01:58
We just released that 2021 data last week.
1:02:02
We are able to look specifically at life expectancy for women.
1:02:05
Women's life expectancy has always been a little bit higher than men's for a number of reasons.
1:02:12
That is still the case, but overall life expectancy is still down from where it was pre pandemic.
1:02:18
So the goal within healthy NYC is to reach a life expectancy of 83 years by 2030.
1:02:25
And we'd be happy to follow-up with you on some numbers specifically for where women are and where women of color are.
1:02:31
I will also say that even before the pandemic, black people, men and women together, on average, had the lowest life expectancy of all New Yorkers at 74 years, and that was pre pandemic.
1:02:44
And to this day, we still have significant inequities in life expectancy by race and ethnicity across the city.
1:02:51
And can I follow-up on just one other thing that came sorry?
Speaker 8
1:02:55
No, that's good.
1:02:56
That's it.
1:02:56
Thank you so much.
Speaker 4
1:02:57
Okay.
1:02:57
Thank you.
1:02:58
I just wanted to follow-up on a couple of prior questions that were raised.
1:03:02
I wanted to add that take the pressure off, our blood pressure initiative, has provided over 1000 blood pressure monitors to sites across the city for patients with hypertension who have difficulty getting blood pressure cuffs.
1:03:15
I also wanted to follow-up on chair Louie, your question about local law 87 front that was passed in 2022.
1:03:22
Regarding polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis.
1:03:27
For as per the local law, we submitted our report to counsel last year and will submit a new report next month.
1:03:33
Information about polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis are also found on our website, PCOS and endometriosis and YC Health.
1:03:44
And then, yes, those were the 2 things I wanted to follow-up on from your questions.
Speaker 2
1:03:49
Counsel member, Mama Murato.
Speaker 9
1:03:51
Hi, thank you.
1:03:52
Thank you very much, Doctor.
1:03:53
Morris, for the testimony.