STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New data from the city Health Department highlights longstanding disparities across Staten Island, with residents of some neighborhoods living longer, healthier lives than those living elsewhere.
On Tuesday, the city Health Department released its Annual Summary of Vital Statistics for 2023, providing an in-depth look at various key health indicators across the city, including pregnancy outcomes, infant mortality, life expectancy, premature death rate, drug-related death rate and more.
“The Health Department’s annual vital statistics contain a wealth of information on major drivers of New York City’s health, and we use the data to inform our programs and policies to promote and protect the health of all New Yorkers,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse.
The report provides citywide data, as well as breakdowns by community district, which on Staten Island offer insights into differences on the North Shore, South Shore and in Mid-Island.
Here’s a look at how various health outcomes differed across Staten Island.
Pregnancy outcomes
All three sections of Staten Island fell below the citywide average for birth rate per 1,000 population, which was 11.9.
The North Shore had the highest birth rate in the borough at 10.3 births per 1,000, followed by the South Shore at 9.5 and Mid-Island at 9.4.
In regard to teen pregnancy, roughly 2.1% of all citywide births were to teenage mothers, with the North Shore exceeding the number at 3.4%, and Mid-Island and the South Shore falling well below that number at 1.1% and 0.4%, respectively.
Infant mortality
The infant mortality rate, defined as the number of infants who die before their first birthday, across New York City was roughly 4.2 deaths per 1,000 births.
Both Mid-Island and the North Shore recorded rates above the citywide average, at 6.4 and 5.2 deaths per 1,000 births, respectively.
The South Shore, however, had a rate significantly lower than the citywide average at 2.9 deaths per 1,000 births.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy at birth across the five boroughs was 82.6 years in 2023, the highest ever reported in New York City.
All three sections of Staten Island had life expectancies below the citywide average, with Mid-Island at 82.2 years, the South Shore at 81.1 years and the North Shore at 80 years.
Premature death rate
The citywide premature death rate, defined as deaths before the age of 65, was 209.2 deaths per 100,000 population.
The North Shore saw a higher rate of premature deaths than the city as a whole with a rate of 239.8 deaths per 100,000, while the South Shore and Mid-Island had rates below the citywide average at 172.4 and 151.4, respectively.
Drug-related death rate
The drug-related death rate across New York City was 28.6 deaths per 100,000 population, with two sections of Staten Island reporting rates above the citywide average.
On the North Shore, the drug-related death rate was 39.3 deaths per 100,000, while the South Shore had a rate of 29.1.
Mid-Island was the only section of Staten Island with a rate below the citywide average, with 20.6 drug-related deaths per 100,000 residents.