The healthcare system in Bronx, New York has a major impact on the livelihoods of its residents. The uneven distribution of healthcare workers and facilities has created healthcare deserts in some neighborhoods, making it difficult for people to access qualified personnel. This is compounded by an already high unemployment rate in the Bronx and West Farms that has been further exacerbated by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Manhattan has twice as many healthcare workers per 100 residents than in the other boroughs of New York City, such as the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. This has resulted in a lack of access to quality healthcare services for many residents.
For example, when The New York Times asked Macy's about her employment status, she said the company had recently offered her a position at one of its Brooklyn stores. BronxCare is now one of the largest providers of outpatient services in New York City, with nearly one million visits a year. According to data from the New York State Department of Health, there are more than 1,300 centers that provide health services in New York City. Health Care's 740,000 employees represent nearly 20% of total private employment in New York City and its surrounding metropolitan area. The economic crisis in New York City is one of the worst in the country, with an unemployment rate of 13.2 percent in October, nearly double the national rate. In the Bronx, the city's poorest district, this rate is even higher at 17.5 percent.
West Farms has become the epicenter of this crisis, with an unemployment rate of 26 percent in September. The effects of this crisis are felt by all residents of Bronx, New York. However, those living in areas with limited access to healthcare are particularly vulnerable. It is essential that steps are taken to ensure that all residents have access to quality healthcare services and that employment opportunities are available to those affected by the economic crisis.
