Up Close: Keeping New Yorkers healthy
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The first-ever report on the health of New Yorkers by zip codes has been released.
The big revelation: your health and your lifespan have a lot to do with the neighborhood where you live.
The city can boast overall life expectancy above the national average, but it can vary by more than 11 years between one community and another.
Our guest is the former New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, who is currently the president and CEO of the non-profit group called Public Good Projects, which is trying to change health behaviors nationwide.
He's also the author of a new book called "Saving Gotham: A Billionaire Mayor, Activist Doctor, and the Fight for Eight Million Lives."
Also this week, New York City has introduced a new initiative to try to reform the bail system.
It's called the 'Bail Lab'..the city will partner with courts to test alternatives to bail involving money.
50,000 people are sent to jail each year because they can't afford to make bail. Among the changes are streamlining the current credit card bail authorization form, and better coordinating the bus schedule from courthouses to Rikers Island to give defendants more time to post bail.
There is also a push in New York to change the bail system nationwide.
With us is State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Democrat from Queens, who has just introduced new legislation.
And, joining us to discuss the first Democratic presidential debate last week are political analysts Jeanne Zaino, professor of political science at Iona College and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf.
