Research shows that community is powerful. Not only does it provide support and belonging, but it influences our health for the better. Today, we are seeing a decline in community comradery that’s part of the renowned American Dream, its ill effects spreading throughout the country, particularly affecting heart health1. Utah Housing Preservation Fund prioritizes creating a strong community when acquiring properties. Their most recent investment, The Monaco Apartments, is lucky enough to have a resource center called Project Access that provides services to support community involvement. Project Access has served thousands, providing services to improve health, and hosting events to create holiday magic for those who have fewer resources.
The social determinants of health are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality of life outcomes and risks. These determinants include: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context3. Some of these may seem intuitive and others are less linear. How do social life and community immersion/involvement affect our health? Communities provide a sense of belonging, connection, and support4. Research shows that the health benefits of being part of a strong community include: lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and lower risk of obesity. In addition, people who are part of a strong community are more likely to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly5.
The connection between individual health and community is materialized by the remarkable health phenomenon called the Roseto effect. The unusually low rates of heart disease in the Italian-American community of Roseto, Pennsylvania caught the eye of researchers who couldn’t help but ask: what’s the secret? Over five decades, researchers conducted epidemiological surveys, performed medical examinations, obtained autopsy data, and searched sociological studies to ensure a thorough understanding of the community’s dynamic. This included studying residents’ family medical histories, lifestyle factors, blood tests, community activities, and family dynamics and relationships. The findings from Roseto Pennsylvania were compared with the neighboring town, Bangor, which was of similar size, with mirroring demographic, lifestyle, and economic conditions. The study found that Roseto had lower rates of heart disease, fewer heart attacks, and longer life expectancy compared to Bangor and most other American towns7. This helped identify that the Roseto’s strong social cohesion and family ties were major protective factors against stress-related diseases. This research is especially powerful today as heart disease rates in America are on the rise, increasing 9.3% from 2019 to 20228. The incidence of heart disease in Roseto has since increased as the town has become more Americanized and individualistic9. Today, community involvement in the United States is dwindling; building a supportive community has not been a priority. Bringing back community in America can be a powerful weapon in fighting our healthcare epidemic as it fosters emotional connection and can prevent heart disease.
When acquiring properties for housing preservation, Utah Housing Preservation Fund considers the property’s community and location. Their most recent investment, The Monaco Apartments located in Salt Lake City, UT, was especially enticing because its partnership with Project Access provides services to strengthen the community. Project Access is a resource center that serves more than 27,000 families and seniors across the nation10. It prepares youth for college and/or careers, provides financial and mental health workshops, offers fitness classes, and hosts community events. Having access to these services allows residents to connect, finding support from and belonging with their neighbors. This time of year is especially exciting as Project Access collaborates with various groups to create a holiday experience every family deserves and longs for. This past year they partnered with Target and the Denver Police Department to gift a Target shopping spree to 10 lucky families, including 17 children. These kids were ecstatic as they got to shop alongside the police officers while picking out toys they’d been wanting11.
In addition, last holiday season they partnered with Athletes First, a management firm which represents the most elite NFL and college players and coaches in the world. These athletes donated gifts to children in the Warwick community in southern California. Their service supported their mission to “Spread the Joy”. They emphasized, “We’re not just bringing smiles to families and children; we’re hopefully sending a powerful reminder that within our communities, there are those grappling with financial difficulties, health emergencies, and employment obstacles, especially during these challenging times.”13.
Project Access transforms communities one person at a time. Their services create opportunities for adults and adolescents that sets them up for a happy, healthy, and successful life. Dulce, a student at Fullerton College, attests to the impact Project Access has had on her life. She recounts that in high school she struggled with her grades and sought out tutoring services through Project Access who helped her excel in her classes and eventually graduate. She’s now studying to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Project Access’s inspirational work supports individuals in achieving their goals. Not only has Dulce’s life been influenced, but the entire community is able to benefit from her choice to become a healthcare professional15.
Another beneficiary of Project Access’s services, Jocelyn, shares her experience about how her life was influenced by their help. When she was a sophomore in high school, her mom experienced serious health problems that prevented her from being able to work. Jocelyn stepped up to provide for the family. She always wanted to have a career and be able to go to college, but she felt that this dream was out of reach because of her new and unfortunate family situation. Through her collaboration with Project Access counselors, she was able to complete essays and meet deadlines for college applications. After her college acceptance, Project Access helped her apply for scholarships to pay for her education. Jocelyn celebrates the work that Project Access has done for her saying, “Project Access has been there for every important step that I’ve taken. If I didn’t have Project Access in my life, I would probably be a different person.”16
Having a tight-knit, supportive community influences individual health for the better. Utah Housing Preservation Fund’s recent acquisition of the Monaco apartments demonstrates their understanding of the importance of community as a social determinant of health. The Monaco’s collaboration with Project Access allows residents to find belonging, support, and resources to live a happy, healthy life. Project Access provides services ranging from food distribution to fitness classes to tutoring and even hosts special events during the holidays to give back to those less fortunate.
Resources
1. Movsesian, M. L. (2023, April 3). American values decline with American community – Mark L. Movsesian. Law & Liberty. https://lawliberty.org/american-values-decline-with-american-community/
2. Monaco. (2024). photograph, Salt Lake City, UT.
3. Social Determinants of Health. Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030. (2024). https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health
4. Stein, S., & Parker, R. (2023). The Importance of Community. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/202307/the-importance-of-community#:~:text=Being%20a%20part%20of%20a,marginalized%2C%20bullied%2C%20or%20alone
5. Stein, S., & Parker, R. (2023). The Importance of Community. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/202307/the-importance-of-community#:~:text=Being%20a%20part%20of%20a,marginalized%2C%20bullied%2C%20or%20alone
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, & Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2024). Social Determinants of Health. photograph.
7. Egolf, B., Lasker, J., Wolf, S., & Potvin, L. (1992, August). The Roseto Effect: A 50-year Comparison of Mortality Rates. American journal of public health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1695733/
8. Woodruff, R., Tong, X., Khan, S., Shah, N., Jackson, S., Loustalot, F., & Vaughan, A. (2023). Trends in cardiovascular disease mortality rates and excess ... American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(23)00465-8/fulltext#:~:text=During 2010–2022, 10,951,403 CVD,rate (456.7 per 100,000).
9. Egolf, B., Lasker, J., Wolf, S., & Potvin, L. (1992, August). The Roseto Effect: A 50-year Comparison of Mortality Rates. American journal of public health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1695733/
10. Project Access Resource Centers: Resident Services Provider. Project Access. (2024, July 12). https://www.project-access.org/
11. Le, J. (2023, December 14). Heroes and helpers create holiday magic for underserved children. Project Access. https://www.project-access.org/2023/12/14/heroes-and-helpers-create-holiday-magic-for-underserved-children/
12. Heroes and Helpers Create Holiday Magic for Underserved Children. (2023). photograph.
13. Le, J. (2023b, December 29). Football stars generate big smiles with generous toy giveaway. Project Access. https://www.project-access.org/2023/12/29/football-stars-generate-big-smiles-with-generous-toy-giveaway/
14. Football Stars Generate Big Smiles With Generous Toy Giveaway. (2023). photograph.
15. Project Access. (2023). Dulce’s Story. YouTube. https://youtu.be/8vTZHECvfY4
16. Project Access. (2021). Jocelyn’s Story. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8TUWbx2t1o