2002-2004 Core Research Project

This core project is a pair of related studies on two communities in the NYS Capital District. Besides receiving general guidance from the Community Advisory Board, the core research project has its own advisory Group, the Core Project Advisory Committee.

The Communities:

The study area includes a part of the City of Albany representing an urban community, and nearby Columbia and Greene counties representing rural communities. The Albany study area consists of four geographically contiguous zip code areas (12202, 12206, 12207 and 12210) with a total population of 37,587 that approximate the downtown area of the city. Analysis of demographic characteristics from the 2000 Census data confirmed that these four zip areas form a distinctive “cluster” among all zip areas in the city of Albany. The area is characterized by a high proportion of minority residents, low median household income, and low proportions of owner-occupied housing units and private vehicle owners.

The rural area includes Columbia (population 63,094) and Greene Counties (population 48,159) which are are located south of Albany. The two counties share similar demographic characteristics – a high proportion of white, non-Hispanic residents, a low population density, and a moderate household income level. The City of Hudson in Columbia County, the largest population center, is the only exception, where residents’ socio-demographic characteristics are more diverse. There is only one hospital with 192 beds serving the two counties, making the area mostly medically underserved.

Project Descriptions:

Multiple Levels of Influence on Diabetes Prevention and Management Project
Environmental Assessment Project

Maps of Study Areas