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West Queens
Climate and Health

Climate and Health in West Queens

Extreme heat, coastal storms, flooding and episodes of elevated ozone are climate-related hazards that may increase with climate change and have important public health impacts in New York City. Extreme weather can cause power outages, which also threaten public health. This report provides neighborhood indicators of climate-related hazards, vulnerability and health impacts.

Climate Hazards

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

All neighborhoods

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

Surface temperature

Daytime summer surface temperature (YEAR)

Surface temperatures vary based on vegetative cover (which promotes cooling), as well as by materials that retain heat (like paved roads, sidewalks, and buildings). Hotter neighborhoods tend to have more heat-exacerbated deaths associated with extreme heat events.

Location:	Degrees Fahrenheit
West Queens 99.9	99.9
Queens 100	100
New York City 98.6	98.6

Comparison

For daytime summer surface temperature, West Queens is worse than most neighborhoods.

Degrees Fahrenheit

Trends over time

Degrees Fahrenheit

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Degrees Fahrenheit

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
U.S. Geological Survey

Health Outcomes

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

All neighborhoods

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

Asthma ED visits (age 5 to 17)

Asthma emergency department visits (age 5 to 17) (YEAR)

Severe asthma attacks can result in a visit to the ED. Things like smoke, air pollution, dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollen and pet dander can trigger asthma.

Location:	Estimated annual rate per 10,000
West Queens 90.8	90.8
Queens 86	86
New York City 127	127

Comparison

For asthma emergency department visits (age 5 to 17), West Queens is in the middle of NYC neighborhoods.

Estimated annual rate per 10,000

Trends over time

Estimated annual rate per 10,000

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Estimated annual rate per 10,000

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
New York State Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) Deidentified Hospital Discharge Data

Built Environment

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

All neighborhoods

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke at home (YEAR)

Adults reporting secondhand smoke at home. Secondhand smoke, especially indoors, is bad for health - particularly for the health of children.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 4.7*	4.7*
Queens 5	5
New York City 4.9	4.9

* Estimate is based on small numbers so should be interpreted with caution.

Comparison

For secondhand smoke at home, West Queens is in the middle of NYC neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
New York City Community Health Survey (CHS)

Neighborhood building quality

Homes near structures rated good or excellent (YEAR)

Building quality predicts the number of housing maintenance deficiencies in a residence that place residents at increased risk of acute or chronic health problems.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 85.2	85.2
Queens 85.9	85.9
New York City 80.7	80.7

Comparison

For homes near structures rated good or excellent, West Queens is in the middle of NYC neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS)

Older adults with AC

Older adults with air conditioners (age 65+) (YEAR)

Older adults (over 65) are more vulnerable to hot weather and heat stress. Air conditioning reduces the risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illness.

Location:	Percent
West Queens N/A**	N/A**
Queens 87.6	87.6
New York City 87.7	87.7

** Estimate is suppressed due to insufficient data.

Comparison

For older adults with air conditioners (age 65+), West Queens is in the middle of NYC neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
New York City Community Health Survey (CHS)

Grass and tree cover

Vegetative cover (YEAR)

Vegetative cover is the land covered by trees, grass, or other plants instead of a hard surface like roads, sidewalks, or buildings. Vegetative cover tends to reduce temperatures in the immediate area and may increase air quality.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 24.0	24.0
Queens 37	37
New York City 38	38

Comparison

For vegetative cover, West Queens is worse than most neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
University of Vermont remote sensing LiDAR data, assessed using methodology described in: MacFaden, S.W., O'Neil-Dunne, J.P.M., Royer, A.R., Lu, J.W.T., & Rundle, A.G. (2012). High-resolution tree canopy mapping for New York City using LiDAR and object-based image analysis. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 6(1).

Priority Populations

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

All neighborhoods

Topic

Compared to other neighborhoods

Independence difficulty

Independent living difficulty (adults) (YEAR)

People with disabilities or access or functional needs may need additional support during extreme weather. For example, they may need extra planning for safe travel out of evacuation zones during a hurricane, or back-up electricity to support medical equipment during power outages. Information provided here about adults with independent living difficulties can help emergency management professionals better prepare our residents for emergencies.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 4.0	4.0
Queens 5.2	5.2
New York City 5.8	5.8

Comparison

For independent living difficulty (adults), West Queens is better than most neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
American Community Survey

Older adults living alone

Older adults living alone (YEAR)

Older adults are more vulnerable to extreme weather. Those living alone may have more difficulty getting resources they need in an emergency, and are at higher risk of weather-related illnesses like heat stroke and hypothermia.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 24.0	24.0
Queens 22.3	22.3
New York City 29.3	29.3

Comparison

For older adults living alone, West Queens is better than most neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
American Community Survey

Poverty

Neighborhood poverty (YEAR)

The percent of households with incomes below the federal poverty level. Households without sufficient resources are often deprived of access to items such as health care and good quality housing that are needed to maintain good health.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 12.5	12.5
Queens 11.4	11.4
New York City 17	17

Comparison

For neighborhood poverty, West Queens is in the middle of NYC neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
American Community Survey

Psychological distress

Serious psychological distress (YEAR)

Mental health conditions like series psychological distress can be worsened by extreme weather such as heat waves and coastal storms.

Location:	Percent
West Queens 7.7	7.7
Queens 4.6	4.6
New York City 5.5	5.5

Comparison

For serious psychological distress, West Queens is worse than most neighborhoods.

Percent

Trends over time

Percent

Some years of data may have unstable rates or estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Trends over time (not available)

There's only a single year of data available for this indicator, so we can't show a trend.

By neighborhood

Percent

Some neighborhoods may have estimates suppressed due to low numbers.

Source:
New York City Community Health Survey (CHS)

West Queens includes ZIP Codes: 11369, 11370, 11372, 11373, 11377, 11378.

Active Design, Physical Activity and Health Asthma and the Environment Climate and Health Housing and Health Outdoor Air and Health

What is the City doing?

Plants trees, funds Cool Roof projects, and supports heat awareness trainings and more to address extreme heat.
Set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 using the OneNYC strategic plan.
Helps low-income households buy and install air conditioners.
Operates the largest electric municipal fleet in the nation.
Supports energy-efficiency changes in municipal and community buildings.

What can you do?

Be a Buddy and check in on neighbors to help them stay cool when it’s hot.
Get info during weather emergencies.
Request a street tree to help cool your neighborhood.

More NYC neighborhood data

NYC Community Health Profiles.

Indicator ranking

Each indicator is placed in one of three categories:

Better
Middle
Worse

This shows us how the neighborhood compares to other NYC neighborhoods, if you ranked all of the NYC neighborhoods based on this indicator.

Better: in the top 1/3rd of all NYC neighorhoods.
Middle: it's close to the NYC median - ranking somewhere in the middle third of all neighborhoods.
Worse: in the bottom 1/3rd of NYC neighborhoods.

These are only based on the distribution of data values, not the range. The absolute values of indicators in different categories may not be all that different.