Massachusetts Massachusetts Community Health Needs Assessment 218 Summary of Demographics and Social Determinants of Health The total population count of MAH's primary service area is estimated at 351,764. Total Population Arlington Belmont Cambridge Somerville Waltham Cambridge and Somerville are large, diverse, quasi-urban communities, while other towns in the service area are smaller and suburban. Watertown 5 1 15 Population Among towns in the service area, there is a variation in target population - Cambridge and Somerville are likely to have more low-income children and families, while other towns have a higher proportion of older adults. Percent of Population 25 2 15 1 5 Population Under 18 and Over 65 Under 18 (%) Over 65 (%) All figures derived from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 211-215 5-Year Estimates unless otherwise noted.
Service Area by Race (%) Approximately 1 in 4 people in the service area are Non-White. White (Non-Hispanic): 76% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 7% Asian: 12% Native Hawaiian/Other Paci c Islander: % American Indian/Alaskan Native: % Some Other Race: 3% Two or More Races: 2% All figures derived from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 211-215 5-Year Estimates unless otherwise noted.
Massachusetts Massachusetts In Somerville, Waltham, and Watertown, over 2% of the population speaks Spanish at home, and speak English less than very well (Limited English Proficiency). Racial/ethnic minority and immigrant groups within the service area include: Central and South Americans, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitians, Russians, Armenians, and Arabicspeakers LEP Speaks Spanish Percent of Population that Speaks Spanish; Percent Spanish Speakers with Limited English Proficiency 6 12 Percent of Population Education Despite the overall service area population being highly educated, disparities exist. Somerville and Waltham have populations with less education compared to other other cities/towns. High School Degree or Higher Bachelor's Degree or Higher 1 1 Percent 5 Percent 5
Massachusetts Income and Poverty Population living below of Federal Poverty Level 3 All towns in the service area had a higher median household income than Massachusetts overall ($68,563), with income highest in Belmont ($11,85) and lowest in Somerville ($73,16). Percent of Population 2 1 Cambridge (13%) and Somerville (14%) have a higher proportion of older adults living in poverty compared to the state (9%). Enrollment in free or reduced lunch programs varied significantly by school district* Massachusetts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Percent Enrolled All figures derived from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 211-215 5-Year Estimates unless otherwise noted. *Annie E. Casey Foundation, Enrollment in Free or Reduced Lunch Program by School District, 214-215
Housing & Transportation Cambridge (63%), Somerville (66%), Waltham (5%), and Watertown (48%) have a significantly higher proportion of renter-occupied units compared to Massachusetts overall (38%). Residents in Arlington, Belmont, Waltham, and Watertown have limited access to pubic forms of transportation compared to those in Cambridge and Somerville. Crime The rate of property crimes is significantly higher in Cambridge and Somerville. The violent crime rate was highest in Cambridge and Somerville, though not signifantly higher than the state overall. Property crime rate (per 1,K)** Violent crime rate (per 1,K)** Massachusetts - 1691 Massachusetts - 391 Arlington - 885 Belmont - 592 Cambridge - 2358 Somerville - 249 Waltham - 1121 Watertown - 144 Arlington - 98 Belmont - 31 Cambridge - 296 Somerville - 242 Waltham - 175 Watertown - 14 All figures derived from US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 211-215 5-Year Estimates unless otherwise noted. **FBI Uniform Crime Statistics, 215
Emerging Conclusions Race, Ethnicity, and Language --Cambridge and Somerville, being more diverse and urban, may have unique issues related to low-income urban populations. Other towns in the service area are smaller and suburban and may have more limited capacity to meet the needs of high-risk and vulnerable populations. --Language access and cultural competency are two of the most signi cant barriers to care for many segments of the population. These issues affect communities throughout the service area but Cambridge and Somerville in particular. Education, Income, and Poverty --While the service area overall is relatively af uent and highly education, there are pockets of low-income and high-risk/high-need populations in each city/town that will require targeted services. Housing and Transportation --Lack of safe and affordable housing is a major challenge for many segments of the population, particularly low-income individuals and families and other vulnerable segments such as substance users, the mentally ill, and homeless. --In key informant interviews, lack of access to reliable forms of transportation has been cited as a major barrier to health care access, and one of the leading challenges to living a healthy, active, well-connected life for many segments of the population, particularly for those outside of Cambridge and Somerville.