Friday Facts and Stats: Health Infographic

Seriously people I love me some infographics.  I recently came across this one posted by a California Habitat chapter and it goes hand in hand with last week's posting on housing and health.  If the words are a little blurry head over to the original posting. 

The Perfect Number of Bikes is X + 1

Where x = the number of bikes your currently own. 

Every year Bike and Build pairs up with Giant and BoKoo Bikes to provide free bikes to all of its participants.  Once riders hit a certain percentage of their fundraising goal, they receive a glorious email with directions to ordering said bike.  While I have had the box for a few days, this afternoon I finally had time to put it together and did so in record time, without directions.  It helps that last spring I built several hundred bikes for work.

I saw a couple of people put together a time-lapse video of the entire process last year, so I decided to do the same.  Make sure you stick around for the end of the video because I have a new incentive scheme going on for anyone who donates!  Click HERE for my donation page. 

Sometimes it takes a while for a name to come to me and other times it will hit as soon as I see the bike.  This year's base model for the ladies is mostly black with some light blue accents.  Coming from the land of the Ravens, I decided to name my bike Edgar Allen Poe, Poe for short.  The next step will be to get pedals, a bike fitting and probably a new saddle. 

100 Days and Counting

So often when I think of Bike and Build, I think of the Holstee Manifesto.  According to their website, the founders wanted "to create something they could reflect back on if they ever felt stuck or found themselves living according to someone else’s definition of happiness."  The poster has been printed thousands of times and has even been turned into a video featuring a wide variety of NYC cyclists. 

Some of my favorite lines:

• Do what you love and do it often.
• If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
• When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
• Travel often.  Getting lost will help you find yourself. 
• Some opportunities only come once, seize them.

With that being said THERE ARE ONLY 100 DAYS UNTIL DRIFT WEST HITS THE ROAD. 

Friday Facts and Stats: Affordable Housing and Health Status Outcomes Part 2

Alright, as promised here is the second half of The Center for Housing Policy article.

• Affordable housing can increase access to amenities and encourage outdoor activity
• Increased exposure to poverty is linked to increased stress and exposure to violent and traumatic events
• Those who feel safe in their environment are less likely to go outside
• Creating walking and biking paths near grocery and retail stores can improve health outcomes

• By decreasing stressors and the number of people in a home, affordable housing can increase physical and mental health and decrease infectious disease

• Affordable housing can help survivors of domestic abuse
• Domestic abuse is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the US; abuse tends to occur during times in stress
• Limited income and spotty employment can impact a survivor's ability to get housing
• Survivors are more likely to be passed over, but it is hard to monitor

• When affordable housing is linked to support services for older adults, they are more likely to "age in place"
• The current housing market is not prepared to let people age at home
• There is a possibility to improve homes and link residents with home health services

First Ride of the Season

As the count down begins until the official jersey is unveiled and the first trip dips their back wheel in the Atlantic Ocean, bikers are eagerly getting in their required miles.  Today the DC new riders and alumni grabbed breakfast and headed out for the first official group ride of the season.  The first stop was out to the National Arboretum.  Seriously I never get tired of this place.  

Headstands anyone?!?

The next stop on the trip was the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens.  This park, which is operated by the National Park Service, covers 700 acres in the District.  Walter B Shaw, a Civil War vet, bought the land and brought the waterlilies with him.  After his death, the land was passed onto his daughter and eventually purchased by Congress in 1938.  I didn't get any good pictures, so here is one from another trip.

Back on the Anacostia Trail.  The new riders were rocking the safety triangles!

 
Nats Stadium

The final stop on our tour was Hains Point. 

And the final group shot.  Until the next ride!!

Friday Facts and Stats: Affordable Housing and Health Status Outcomes Part 1

So I have been a little lax over the last few weeks with the facts and stats, so I am focusing on something I love to talk about ... affordable housing and health outcomes.  Here's half of the quick and dirty from a 2011 article published by The Center for Housing Policy. 

• Affordable housing frees up income for healthy food and health related expenses
• Children are more likely to hit "well child" markers (weights, health, development levels) when their families receive housing subsidies
• Adults not in affordable housing are more likely to state theri health is "fair or poor"
• Those whose houses are in foreclosure are less likely to purchase/take their prescriptions

• Stable housing is inversely proportional to stress and poor health outcomes
•  Kids who live in unstable housing are more likely to have developmental delays and increased mental health problems
• Stable housing decreases adult hospitalizations and increases mental health markers
• Living doubled up or in foreclosure is related to increased stress and depression

• Well constructed and maintained homes limit a person's exposure to neurotoxins and allergies
• Poor environments and old houses are related to increased accidential injury, asthma and lead poisoning
• Cockroaches, dustmites and mold are related to increased prevalence of asthma and respiratory problems
• While replacing carpets and windows and getting rid of pests is more expensive, it will save individuals and families money in the long run

• Affordable housing may improve chronic health conditions
• Homelessness prevents people from storing their medications/supplies properly, keep appointments and follow special diets
• Individuals without stable housing may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, especially if they have a history of drug and alcohol abuse

Want to read more?  Head on over to the original article at The Center for Housing Policy.   

Have limited time on your hands?  Come back next week for the other half of the article.