Bronx Health: National Survey to Give Borough a Checkup

Editor's note: This story first appeared in the last print edition of the Norwood News. 

By Jeanmarie Evelly

For the first time in more than 20 years, a national study that measures the health and nutrition status of Americans across the country has set its sights on the Bronx, which is consistently ranked as one of the unhealthiest counties in the nation.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, surveys 6,500 residents from 15 counties across the nation each year. The data gathered is meant to provide a snapshot of the country’s health and is used by legislators and officials to influence health programs and policies.

“It’s kind of like a health report card for the nation,” said senior study manager Nora Martinello.

Staff from the CDC started knocking on doors across the Bronx last week to conduct health interviews at a random sampling of addresses. Starting in the middle of May, about 500 chosen residents will undergo full, confidential medical exams from a team of survey physicians, dentists, nutritionists, and lab technicians. NHANES last came to the Bronx in 1982, Martinello said. The CDC has set up shop in a number of mobile examination trailers on West Kingsbridge Road, on the campus of the James J. Peter VA Medical Center.

“It’s really impressive to see what we can do inside four tractor trailers,” she said.