Social support services are among the most important healthcare indicators in an area. According to the RWJ RAND 2018 survey, 36.5 percent of adults identified to have a “strong to very strong attitude that social and physical factors had a significant influence on health (Carman et al., 2019). This statement confirmed how social support services play a critical role in maintaining people’s proper social and mental health. Social support services entail critical facilities within a community enable citizens of a given society to access services such as foster care, centers for the homeless, adoption centers, and child support (Carman et al., 2019). An analysis of such factors in the Upper West Side region of New York City shows that the area is effectively planned to promote people’s health. The presence of such social services indicates the urban planners’ dedication to ensuring the health and wellness of the citizens living in their region.
I agree with the respondents I interviewed that social support services are necessary for the people living in Upper West Side. This is because the health issues in the area are highly influenced by the lifestyles maintained by the people in the area and their composition. The data shows that the region comprises people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who experience different issues in life. While most people in the community are whites, a considerable population of blacks, Hispanics and Latinos experience numerous challenges in their daily lives (Carman et al., 2019). The experiences include lack of employment, housing problems, and inability to access healthy food, which may expose them to different health complications. However, strong social connections and support services such as child protection centers, centers for the homeless, adult protective services, and foster homes provide assistance to the residents encouraging a healthy and comfortable life.
Reference
Carman, K. G., Chandra, A., Weiland, S., Miller, C., & Tait , M. (2019). 2018 National Survey of Health Attitudes. RWJF.