VIDEO: Health of the Hood - What Makes the Mills College Neighborhood Unhealthy?

With the advent of speeding in my community, neighbors remind drivers to obey traffic laws. Katherine Brown - Oakland Voices 2012.

With the advent of speeding in my community, neighbors remind drivers to obey traffic laws. *Photo: Katherine Brown – Oakland Voices 2012.*

By Katherine Brown

So what makes a neighborhood unhealthy? Is it limited access to fresh produce? Is it a liquor store on every corner? Or is it the speeding cars that zip up and down MacArthur Avenue every evening?

Over the course of two days, I set out on foot around my neighborhood – the Mills College/Seminary Avenue area – to identify what could lead to poor health outcomes for folks that live, work, and play in this area.

During my walks, here are some unhealthy aspects I noticed within my neighborhood:

Police and ambulance sirens – morning, noon, and night.
Piles of trash lining the street.
Cars constantly running the stop signs at the corner of Brann St. and 56^th Avenue.
Liquor stores and outlets that serve sodium-filled and greasy foods.
Non-residents sitting in their cars in front of neighbor’s houses – some stop to smoke weed or drink Sometimes, they’re casing houses to rob.

At the Mac Arthur Boulevard and 55th Avenue intersection, numerous car accidents have occurred here. Katherine Brown – Oakland Voices 2012.

I have lived in this community for over 20 years, and I have definitely seen many changes over time that do not aid in improving the health of my neighborhood.

For example, over the last year, there has been a rash of break-ins and robberies. In one instance, a family was at home when would-be robbers tried to kick their door in.

Fortunately, no one was physically harmed – but in speaking to the mother, and hearing her worry and concern for herself and her family, it was apparent that invisible wounds that still remain.

I love my neighborhood – it is my home – but I cannot help but worry about the health of my community.