This document proposes comparing socioeconomic segmentation and rates of asthma across different neighborhoods in Houston, specifically the West University and Houston Ship Channel areas. It would analyze how levels of air pollutants correlate with income, race, and asthma incidence rates in those areas. The goal is to illustrate environmental health hazards faced by disadvantaged groups and help reduce toxic pollutants' impact on Houston's social segments.

1. HOW DO HOUSTON’S COMMUNITY DYNAMICS
IMPACT SOCIAL SEGMENTATION?
Hadiqa Memon
Anthony Moore
Rachel Shenoi

2. 2010 UT HEALTH OF HOUSTON SURVEY
Number of neighborhood and
environmental problems and health status:
Relative levels of disadvantage and
health status by quartiles:
West University
Houston Ship
Channel
(Health of Houston Survey 2010, The University of Texas School of Public Health)

3.  How do the relative rates of asthma, specifically in the Houston Ship Channel and
West University, indicate the health of Houstonians and highlight the
socioeconomic segmentation of Houston?
 Objectives:
PROPOSED QUESTION:
Compare different tapestries across Houston (i.e. West
University and Houston Ship Channel) to highlight the
social segmentation present in Houston.
Illustrate the environmentally induced health hazards
that arise from a growing economy.
Develop future methods to reduce the impact of toxic air
pollutants on Houston’s social segments.

4. SO WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
People with a lower
socioeconomic status live in
areas with greater
pollutants.
Increased exposure to
hazardous chemicals, i.e.
PM, SO2, and NO2.
Exacerbates asthma.
These health problems
accumulate and increase
chances for developing
confounding diseases.
Socioeconomically
disadvantaged families may
not be able to afford
adequate medical treatment.
The relationship of socioeconomic factors to increased health risks:
Lack of
education
Lack of
income
Lack of
opportunity

5. 1) Measure asthma incidence rates across
Houston over a specific time period.
2) Obtain levels of 3 key pollutants (diesel
particulate matter, NO2, and SO2) across
Houston over a specific time period via
TCEQ (Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality) database.
3) Compare tapestry, income level, and race
segmentation for a 1, 3 and 5 mile radius
from the Houston Ship Channel and West
University via ESRI GIS.
OUR METHODOLOGY

6. OUR CONTRIBUTION
Figure 1: Black (5 mile radius); Red (10 mile radius); Blue (20 mile
radius).
Applying market research
and business principles to
get a better understanding of
the people that make up the
Houston communities.
29% Ethnic Enclaves
• Avg. HHI: $27,000 - 64,000
• Socioeconomic Status Index: 63 – 119
• Avg. Household Size: 3-4
• Various ethnic groups, with a good majority
of Hispanic heritage.
12% Midtown Singles
• Avg. HHI: $17,000 – 41,000
• Socioeconomic Status Index: 48- 90
• Avg. Household Size: 2 – 3
• A diverse group of young individuals in
service positions.
11% Affluent Estates
• Avg. HHI: $98,000 – 157,000
• Socioeconomic Status Index: 171-232
• Avg. Household Size: 2-3
• Older generation with community that
enjoys a greater quality of life.

7. POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF RESEARCH QUESTION:
 Spatial Heterogeneity
 Spatial variance of asthma
 Environmental Impact
 Financial cost for the health of Houstonians (Cost of US asthma estimate: $11.3 billion in
1998)
 Environmental Justice
 “Certain minority populations are forced, through their lack of access to decision-making
and policy-making processes, to live with a disproportionate share of environmental
‘bads’—and suffer the related public health problems and quality of life burdens.”
(McEntee 2009)
 Public Policy
 Quality of Life
 The opportunity cost of a growing economy in relation to the health of
citizens
(Rob, 2000, Environmental Institute of Houston)
(Bonorris, 2010, American Bar Association and Hastings College of the Law)

8.  Analyzing the formation of
socioeconomically disadvantaged hot
spots and their disease threats.
 Research in community planning and
effective distribution of resources
 Cost effective methods to reduce air
pollution and other environmental impacts
FURTHER AVENUES OF RESEARCH: