Chronic disease survey hits NH streets

New Haven (WTNH) - They're hitting the streets to stem the increasing rate of chronic disease in New Haven. A health survey is underway in six neighborhoods.

Bernard Agaba and Mechelle Craddock-Spence are knocking at doors.

"We're getting a very warm reception in the neighborhood in terms of even knocking on doors, people are interested in why we are out here, what we are doing," Craddock-Spence said.

The survey questions are geared to get a clear picture of the overall health of everybody who takes part, as well as the rest of the neighborhood.

"New haven like other urban areas in the US are disproportionably affected by chronic diseases," Alycia Santilli, assistant director of CARE, said.

Alycia Santilli is with CARE, the Community Alliance for Research and Engagement at Yale.

"To improve health in New Haven is the bottom line," Santilli said.

CARE is the group canvassing this area.

"Seventy percent of deaths are attributed to chronic disease. If we can even make a small impact on that number, then I think we can save alot of lives in New Haven," Santilli said.

The answers are kept confidential and so are the names of those who take part.

"I got a flyer in the mail and they said to expect someone to ring your bell," Jeannette Thomas, a resident, said.

And this energetic 76-year-old was kind enough to say yes to an on-camera interview.

"I think I feel good. I go up three flights of stairs about eight or nine times a day," Thomas said.

The goal is to interview fourteen hundred people and to use the data collected to implement programs and policies to battle chronic disease.

CARE will be conducting the health survey through November in five other neighborhoods: Dixwell, West River/Dwight, Fair Haven, Hill North and West Rock.

Gift cards to a local store and a raffle for a $500 grand prize are being given out to those who answer the survey.