New Yorkers life expectancy up from 2001

New Yorkers can now expect to live 15 months longer than was expected in 2001, according to a report released last week by New York City's Department of Health.

The reasons for the improvement are widespread, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in his weekly radio address on Sunday. He announced that anti-smoking policies have resulted in 300,000 fewer smokers since 2002 and that 364,000 more New Yorkers now have a regular doctor. Also, fewer people are dying from alcohol, drugs and AIDS.

In addition to a higher life expectancy, those in low-income and minority communities are living healthier lives than before.'

'We're working with community groups to make sure these residents have what they need,' Department of Health spokeswoman Celina De Leon said.

In particular, the city department is working closely with district health departments to target especially troubled areas like East Central Harlem, Central Brooklyn and South Bronx.

And progress has become a reality.

The percentage of blacks receiving screenings for colon cancer is up 83 percent since 2003, while the figure for Hispanics is 66 percent. This year, over 11,000 individuals in New York state will be diagnosed with colon cancer; more than 4,000 in this group will be from New York City.

'There's proof that we can narrow these gaps,' De Leon said, citing socioeconomic disparities.'

Deleon advises everyone to go to the doctor regularly.'

'You think you're invincible,' she said of young people especially. 'But knowing is better than not knowing.'

Diana Silver, an NYU professor of public health, praised New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden for the positive statistical increases.'

'I think New York City has been at the forefront of experimental health initiatives, so in some ways, it's not a surprise,' she said.

But obesity is still a problem in the city and nationwide, Silver said. More than 1.1 million New Yorkers are obese, according to a 2008 DOH study.

'Unlike smoking, there's no clear consensus on the best way to intervene, like with cigarette taxes,' Silver said.

People should pay attention to calorie postings in restaurants, De Leon said.

Most students weren't too surprised by the news of increased life expectancy.'

'I think New Yorkers walk everywhere. They get a lot more exercise than your average American would,' Steinhardt sophomore Stephanie Wells said. 'I go home to California, and I drive everywhere. Here, I walk a few miles everyday, no problem.''

Silver has some advice for college students.

'No matter how stressed you are, you can still choose to make healthy choices,' she said. 'Don't smoke, and keep the drinking in moderation.'

Vanessa Liu is a staff writer. E-mail her at citystate@nyunews.com.