Jenkins: Where we live, and how we live, matters
Joshua Jenkins
Guest Columnist
I recently saw an article, shared with me by my campaign manager Keija Parssinen, about the large gap in the life expectancy of residents of Newark, the city I proudly call home, versus residents of Granville, where Keija lives. According to data gathered as part of the 2018 U.S. Small-Area Life-Expectancy Estimates project, Keija might live fifteen years longer than me, though we live less than ten miles apart.
There are a lot of reasons for the gap aside from genetics or access to health care, according to the article. Social determinants, such as access to education, healthy food, transportation, safe housing, as well as recreation spaces and parks, play a significant role in people’s life expectancy and quality of life.