Hospitalization: Top Causes

Cause Admission rate (per 100,000 people)

Queens Hospital Center saw more than 3,000 babies born in 2003.

Heart disease....................1,193
Accidents and injuries ....................935
Cancer ....................549
Mental Illness ....................381
Pneumonia and influenza ....................310
Stroke ....................298
Diabetes ....................192
Alcohol-related ....................164
Chronic lung disease.................... 160
Drug-related.................... 158
Asthma ....................130

Source: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Top 10 Most Polluted Areas

The following areas were found to have the worst air quality by the Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection during a study of Queens over a six-month period of time. Some spots, like the airports, are no surprise. But Forest Hills Gardens?

LaGuardia Airport is the worst place in Queens to look for a breath of fresh air.

1. Kennedy and LaGuardia Aiports
2. Queens Boulevard and Long Island Expressway
3. Broadway and Roosevelt Avenue (Jackson Heights)
4. Astoria Boulevard and 31st Street (Astoria)
5. 23rd Avenue and 91st Street (East Elmhurst)
6. Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue (Flushing)
7. Guy R. Brewer and Farmers Boulevard (Rochdale Village)
8. Jamaica Avenue and Merrick Boulevard (Jamaica)
9. Queens Plaza (Long Island City)
10. Forest Hills Gardens (Forest Hills)

Source: Departments of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection

Most Babies Delivered At Queens Hospitals

The stork visited the borough plenty of times last year, but it appears that Elmhurst Hospital Center was its famous target.

Elmhurst Hospital Center (Elmhurst) - 4,452
The New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens (Flushing) - 3,373
Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica (Jamaica) - 3,200
Flushing Hospital Medical Center (Flushing) - 2,000
LIJ North Shore University Hospital at Forest Hills (Forest Hills) - 1,479
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital South Shore (Far Rockaway) - 921

Source: Tribune survey of Queens hospitals.

Top Causes of Death

Interestingly, death from HIV disease is not in the top ten nationwide, which instead includes death from Alzheimer’s. However, AIDS deaths are lower in Queens as compared to the whole of New York City. The following is the number of deaths recorded for 2003.

1. Heart Disease (6,976)
2. Malignant Neoplasms (3,010)
3. Influenza and Pneumonia (452)
4. Cerebrovascular disease (431)
5. Chronic lower respiratory diseases (400)
6. Diabetes Mellitus (383)
7. Accidents except poisoning by psychoactive substances (312)
8. HIV disease (189)
9. Use of or poisoning by psychoactive substances (152)
10. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis (135).

Source: NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene

Best Nursing Homes

Just because one’s life has turned the corner age-wise does not mean the quality of life must diminish. Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the best borough’s facilities where staff ensures its residents’ quality of life does not go down.

The Fairview Nursing Care Center in Forest Hills is considered one of the best in the borough.

Bezalel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
29-38 Far Rockaway Blvd.
Far Rockaway

Bridge View Nursing Home
143-10 20th Ave.
Whitestone

Chapin Home for the Aging
165-01 Chapin Pkwy.
Jamaica

Cliffside Rehab and HCC
119-19 Graham Ct.
Flushing

Elmhurst Care Center
100-17 23rd Ave.,
East Elmhurst

Fairview Nursing Care Center
69-70 Grand Central Pkwy., Forest Hills

Flushing Manor Care Center
139-66 35th Ave.
Flushing

Forest Hills Care Center
71-44 Yellowstone Blvd.
Forest Hills

Highland Care Center
91-31 175th St.
Jamaica

Little Neck Nursing Home
260-19 Nassau Blvd.
Little Neck
Source: Compiled by the Queens Tribune

Top Reasons For Sleep LossMost

There is a good reason the saying “Don’t lose sleep over it” has become synonymous with worrying about something or experiencing some other form of negative emotions to an extent where they become the preoccupying thought in a person’s life. Below are some of the most common things over which people tend to lose sleep, according to a November 2003 survey published by The Gallup Organization.

Stress, particularly during the holiday season – 76 percent

Remembering the loss of loved ones – 40 percent

Financial concerns – 38 percent

Scheduling too many activities – 37 percent

Family issues – 33 percent

Source: Compiled by the Queens Tribune

Most Common Illnesses

Queens is a generally healthy borough overall, but the common cold still reaks havoc year round.
Here are the most common illnesses in Queens.

1. Cold
2. Flu
3. Mononucleosis (Strep Throat)
4. Heart disease
5. AIDS
6. Cancer
7. Anemia
8. Depression
9. Alzheimer’s Disease
10. Osteoporosis

Source: Compiled by the Queens Tribune

Top Personal Hygiene Tips

Looking after your personal hygiene is important from more than a mere esthetic point of view. A neat appearance certainly helps in personal and professional life, but most importantly it offers effective and cheap disease prevention.

When washing your hands, preferably with warm water, rub soap over both sides of your hands, between your fingers and around your nails.

Wash your hands after using the bathroom, before and after food preparation, playing with pets and sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.

Use germicidal soaps and liquid germicidal detergents. These suppress germ activity better compared with ordinary soap.
Take showers rather than baths.

After showering or bathing be sure you dry yourself thoroughly.

Clean your teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay and brush with fluoride toothpaste.

Do not share wash cloths, towels, hair brushes, combs, toothbrushes, or toilet articles.

Keep washbasins, toilet seats, bathrooms, kitchens and fixtures thoroughly clean.

Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs.

Air your living accommodation for several hours on a dry, sunny day.

Source: WhatShouldIDo.com