Donna Shai

Income, housing, and fire injuries: a census tract analysis

Objectives. This study investigates the social and demographic correlates of nonfatal structural fire injury rates for the civilian population for Philadelphia census tracts during 1993–2001. Methods. The author analyzed 1,563 fire injuries by census tract using the 1990 census (STF 3) and unpublished data from the Office of the Fire Marshal of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Injury rates were calculated per 1,000 residents of a given census tract. Multiple regression was used to determine significant variables in predicting fire injuries in a given census tract over a nine-year period and interaction effects between two of these variables—age of housing and income. Results. Multiple regression analysis indicates that older housing (prior to 1940), low income, the prevalence of vacant houses, and the ability to speak English have significant independent effects on fire injury rates in Philadelphia. In addition, the results show a significant interaction between older housing and low income. Conclusions. Given the finding of very high rates of fire injuries in census tracts that are both low income and have older housing, fire prevention units can take preventative measures. Fire protection devices, especially smoke alarms, should be distributed in the neighborhoods most at risk. Multiple occupancy dwellings should have sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. Laws concerning the maintenance of older rental housing need to be strictly enforced. Vacant houses should be effectively boarded up or renovated for residential use. Fire prevention material should be distributed in a number of languages to meet local needs.

Violent deaths among Mexican-, Puerto Rican- and Cuban-born migrants in the United States

This paper analyzes nationwide and regional mortality rates for violent causes of death among persons born in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba, living in the continental United States. The Mexican-born had the highest death rates from accidents, the Puerto Rican-born from homicide and the Cuban-born from suicide. In each case of excess mortality in an Hispanic nativity group, the death rates for men by cause were higher than the comparative rates for white and blacks both nationally and regionally. Mortality rates for their major cause of violent death were highest for the Puerto Rican-born and Cuban-born men in their areas of concentration. Mexican-born men had higher accident death rates outside their areas of concentration. Contributing factors to violent causes of death include the interaction of socioeconomic, behavioral, cultural and psychological factors.

The truly disadvantaged and the structural covariates of fire death rates

Abstract The present study investigates the social and demographic correlates of fire death rates for large metropolitan counties (N=199). Data were derived from the 1990 census and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Multiple regression analyses revealed that age of housing, prevalence of mobile homes, and the proportion of the population renting had significant independent effects on fire death rates. Furthermore, the results indicated a significant interaction between the proportion of the population that is African American and median family income. The combination of low income and a high proportion of African Americans was related to fire death rates in a multiplicative rather than additive way. That is, the combination of low income and high proportion of African Americans appears to be associated with extremely high fire death rates, much more so than would be predicted by simply summing the two risk factors together. The results are discussed in relation to cumulative disadvantage theory. It is argued that the relationship between race and fire death is the product of both racial disparities in income and the geographic concentration of multiple disadvantages.

Homicide in the High North: Alaska, 1999-2006

This article focuses on homicides (murders and nonnegligent manslaughter) in Alaska from 1999 to 2006, through a comparison of homicides in Anchorage and in the rest of the state. Data used include the Supplementary Homicide Reports of the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program Data for Alaska, newspaper surveillance, and Alaska Vital Statistics. Geographic, cultural and demographic factors are used to help provide an explanation of Alaska’s unusual homicide pattern, a relatively high rate of female homicide victims. In addition, the article compares the Alaska findings to those of the United States as a whole, to place homicide in the state within a larger context. The general theoretical framework is a consideration of disorganization theory, which is used to better understand homicides in Alaska and the particular vulnerability of Alaskan Native women who migrate to Anchorage from rural villages. Topics examined include the gender and race of victims, the relationship between the victim and perpetrator, the time of year of the homicide, the location (home or elsewhere), the region of Alaska, and the weapon used in the homicide. Negligent manslaughter and child witnesses to murder are also discussed. A number of suggestions are made for the reduction of homicides in Alaska.

Factors in mortality by drug dependence among Puerto Ricans in New York City.

This paper presents data on mortality by drug dependence among Puerto Rican residents aged 15-44 of New York City. While men show death rates for drug dependence several times those of women, when deaths by drug dependence are calculated as a proportion of all deaths, the ratios are nearly the same for both sexes. Factors relevant to analyzing mortality statistics on drug dependence in this population are an undercount of Puerto Rican males and competing causes of death, particularly homicide among men. Factors influencing deaths by drugs are gender roles as they influence patterns of drug use and types of chronic use: regular and intermittent.

Residential Fire-Related Injuries and Deaths in Anchorage, Alaska, 2007–2012: Causes and Prevention

The purpose of the study was threefold: (1) to identify the main causes of fire injuries to the civilian population of Anchorage; (2) to identify risk factors through a data set drawn from fire department records and newspaper surveillance, and (3) to suggest preventative measures. Methods used included an analysis of cases in ANFRS, newspaper surveillance, and cross-tabulations. The analysis finds that Anchorage census tract analysis did not show a relationship between income and fire injuries, however behavior such as entering the fire area before it has been cleared, inadequate supervision of children, widespread use of space heaters, as well as above average smoking and drinking behaviors were likely to affect fires. The addition of sprinklers, repair of equipment such as hydrants, a public health campaign on children and fire play, smoking cessation efforts and increased warnings on holidays could be helpful.

Mobile Home Population Displacement: The Case of Anchorage, Alaska

The topic of displacement of mobile home residents has been largely neglected in demographic studies. Mobile homes are an important form of low-income housing in the United States and facilitate the fulfillment of basic American values such as home ownership, self-reliance, and independence. Since mobile home residents usually rent the land under their trailers, they are highly vulnerable to forced migration when that land becomes valuable to developers. This is a growing phenomenon across the United States. With the rapid growth of many cities such as Anchorage, Alaska, mobile home residents, who settled in what were outlying areas when the parks were opened, now find themselves on land that is centrally located and seen as valuable for the building of high-density housing, office buildings, and strip malls. With insufficient resources, aging trailers, and low-income, mobile home residents often have little recourse and few good options. This study explores the problem, using the 2000 Census and the 2005–2009 American Community Survey for Anchorage Municipality. Other main sources of data were Google Earth (2008), Anchorage Planning Department maps and lists of mobile home parks, and 2011 data on mobile home parks and housing units from the Anchorage Assessment Office. Massey’s (Demography 33:395–412, 1996) “Age of extremes” theory is used to study the relationship between mobile home housing and economic status by census tract, with implications for mobile home housing elsewhere in the United States. Finally, some possible solutions are discussed.