Harlem

Harlem is a vibrant community with rich cultural traditions. The vast majority of patients served by the Family Health Center of Harlem reside in Central Harlem and East Harlem, where residents are primarily African American and/or Latino. Approximately one in five residents was born outside of the U.S., adding to the neighborhood’s diversity.

Harlem is also one of the poorest communities in New York City. Low-income and minority residents in Harlem have a critical need for a medical home. Community residents generally self-report poorer health status and more frequent mental distress when compared to New York City as a whole. Residents are also more likely to go without needed care and prescription medications. Other indicators of inadequate primary care access are presented here:

Residents	Central Harlem	East Harlem	New York City
Percent who do not have a regular doctor or other health care provider	19%	20%	19%
Percent who go to ED when sick or need health advice	11%	22%	8%
Percent of adults receiving Medicaid	23%	28%	20%
Percent uninsured	14%	25%	20%

High rates of chronic illness and poor health outcomes in Harlem point to the need for more physicians trained to care for underserved populations. For example, residents in Central and East Harlem experience higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and HIV/AIDS than New York City as a whole, as well as high rates of infant mortality and low-birth weight. Use of preventive services, such as cancer screening, is below national goals, leading to higher rates of morbidity and mortality. The Harlem Residency in Family Medicine seeks both to use and develop the best evidence for successfully addressing these health disparities.