Part 2 & 3 ppt

Population Health Problem Identification: Adult Obesity in ZIP Code 19139, West

Philadelphia

Michelle Murray

Herzing University

Course:NU780 and Population Health

Dr. Koenig

Date

Population Health Problem Identification: Adult Obesity in ZIP Code 19139, West

Philadelphia

Introduction

Residents of ZIP code 19139 in West Philadelphia experience substantial and persistent

health disparities compared to the broader Philadelphia population. This neighborhood,

characterized by high poverty levels, limited access to healthy food, and environmental

barriers to physical activity, demonstrates significantly elevated rates of adult obesity and

type 2 diabetes. These chronic conditions not only reduce quality of life, but also

contribute to long-term health inequities across the community. Building on the Week 1

discussion analysis and the Week 4 presentation, this paper expands the identification of

adult obesity as a measurable, modifiable, and population-level health concern requiring

a coordinated public health response.

Description of the Identified Health Problem

Data from multiple community health sources highlight obesity as one of the most severe

and disproportionate health burdens affecting ZIP code 19139. According to Data

Commons (2025), the adult obesity rate in this neighborhood is approximately 40.8%,

significantly higher than Philadelphia’s overall adult obesity rate of 33%. Additionally,

the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Health of the City report shows that 12%

of adults in the city are living with diabetes, with prevalence rates highest in

neighborhoods with concentrated poverty, limited access to nutritious foods, and fewer

safe recreational spaces. The Health of the City 2021 report—available as a public

PDF—confirms the association between obesity, diabetes, and socioeconomic

disadvantage in West Philadelphia.

Socioeconomic factors further exacerbate these disparities. The median household

income in ZIP code 19139 is $27,542, substantially lower than the citywide median,

indicating limited economic capacity to purchase healthy foods or engage in wellness

activities. Residents in low-income urban environments frequently experience reliance on

inexpensive, high-calorie foods due to the scarcity of supermarkets offering fresh

produce. The Association of Health Economics of Philadelphia (2025) notes that

neighborhoods like West Philadelphia face systemic inequities in access to preventive

care, contributing to higher obesity and diabetes rates among Black and Hispanic

residents. These trends confirm obesity as a significant health problem shaped by

environmental, economic, and structural barriers.

Implications of the Identified Health Problem

Adult obesity has far-reaching implications for individuals, families, and the overall

community of ZIP code 19139. Obesity dramatically increases the risk of type 2 diabetes,

cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and premature death.

Research consistently demonstrates that obesity-related chronic illnesses

disproportionately affect medically underserved, low-income populations due to the

combined effects of food insecurity, stress, environmental hazards, and limited healthcare

access. For residents of West Philadelphia, these health concerns lead to higher

healthcare utilization, increased hospital admissions, and reduced participation in

employment, education, and community activities.

Additionally, obesity contributes to a cycle of generational health disadvantage. Families

living in neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and limited access to healthy foods

often experience higher rates of obesity among children, perpetuating risk into adulthood.

Community-level implications include increased healthcare costs, strained local health

systems, and reduced workforce productivity. Addressing obesity is therefore both a

public health priority and a social justice issue, as it intersects with race, income, housing

quality, and access to resources.

Implications of Not Addressing the Health Problem

Failure to address adult obesity in ZIP code 19139 would likely worsen existing health

disparities and accelerate rates of chronic disease throughout the community. Without

intervention, diabetes prevalence may rise, increasing the number of residents requiring

long-term disease management, medications, and hospital care. Delayed action also

contributes to escalating healthcare costs for families, public insurance programs, and

local government systems. If obesity trends continue unchecked, the community may

experience higher levels of disability, reduced life expectancy, and worsening

socioeconomic instability.

Furthermore, ignoring this issue risks reinforcing racial and economic inequities. Black

and Hispanic populations in West Philadelphia already experience disproportionate rates

of chronic disease due to systemic factors such as discriminatory housing policies,

insufficient healthcare access, and underinvestment in local infrastructure. Without

targeted population-based interventions, these inequities will persist, deepening

generational health gaps and limiting opportunities for community advancement.

Addressing obesity is therefore essential not only for improving physical health outcomes

but also for promoting equity, resilience, and long-term community well-being.

References

Association of Health Economics of Philadelphia. (2025). Obesity and diabetes in

Philadelphia.

Data Commons. (2025). ZIP code 19139 (Philadelphia, PA) community data.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health. (2021). Health of the City 2021 report.

Pennsylvania Department of Health. (2025). Philadelphia County health profile.

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