Education is one of the most painful topics in the study of social sciences and health. The statistics of educational attainment and the development of learning institutions often serve as the basis for the analysis of the existing social opportunities. Dramatic variations in educational attainment across districts and locations are widely documented. Astoria, NY is one of the many districts that have managed to overcome the existing difficulties and improve the quality of education for its residents.
Overall, Astoria is a part of the Queens district, New York, which has a long history of business and social development. According to NYCEDC Economic Research & Analysis (2014), the history of the district dates back to colonial times, and it is not until 1898 that Astoria became an inseparable element of New York City. Today, the social and economic successes of residents in Astoria are justified by the district’s geographic proximity to Manhattan. The district extends from Queens Plaza in the south and the East River in the North (NYCEDC Economic Research & Analysis, 2014). Still, the problems experienced by the local residents are quite similar to those facing other residents in New York City. Education is just one of the many aspects of the complex social picture of Astoria, NY.
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Overall, in 2012, more than 68,000 residents in Astoria were employed, with the rates of unemployment being somewhat lower than in the rest of New York City – 9.2 against 10.2 percent, accordingly. The median income within the district is $53,237, which is higher than the median income of the City but is lower than average earnings in Queens (NYCEDC Economic Research & Analysis, 2014). Most Astoria residents operate in the food and accommodation services sector, which seems to imply no need for advanced education or outstanding professional skills. Still, the initial picture is highly misleading, since Astoria has displays higher levels of education among its residents, compared with other districts.
It should be noted that Astoria population increased more than 14 percent between 1990 and 2000 (NYCEDC Economic Research & Analysis, 2014). Such population trends were accompanied and accelerated by the substantial growth in the business sector, coupled with the growing demand for housing. At the same time, Astoria residents are described as being relatively well-educated. More than 40 percent of Astoria population aged 25 and older currently have a bachelor’s degree, compared with only 26 percent at the beginning of the 2000s (NYCEDC Economic Research & Analysis, 2014). The Point and Homes (2014) website provides even more detailed statistics: 8,922 residents (14 percent) have not finished high school. 10,790 residents (16.9 percent) have some college education. Graduate degrees are reported to be held by 16.6 percent of residents in Astoria (Point and Homes, 2014). In everything that relates to education, Astoria scores better than the rest of Queens, where less than 30 percent of residents have a bachelor’s degree (NYCEDC Economic Research & Analysis, 2014). These results have far-reaching implications for understanding the current state of health in the target community.
Education is an important socioeconomic determinant of health. According to Telfair and Shelton (2012), educated people are healthier mentally and physically than their uneducated counterparts. Thus, the first hypothesis is proposed. Hypothesis 1: High levels of education in Astoria are associated with high levels of health and wellbeing compared with other Queens territories. Also, given that educational attainment creates a strong basis for health promotion and health improvement, it is possible to assume that better education will also create better health and wellness opportunities in Astoria. Hypothesis 2: Better opportunities for educational attainment will improve the quality of health and wellbeing in Astoria. Finally, hypothesis 3: education should become the primary instrument of health
