Berkeley Weekly Update - 3/5/24

Public Health Update

Life expectancy is higher than the Countywide average, but varies by neighborhood.

Last week, Berkeley’s Public Health Division provided an update on the state of public health in the City. Overall, Berkeley is doing well in terms of health and wellness, scoring better than surrounding jurisdictions. However, inequalities and disparities still exist, which became even more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The life expectancy in Berkeley is 82.8 years, higher than California (80.3 years) and the United States (78.8). But life expectancy in Berkeley varies dramatically by zip code. Residents in Northeast Berkeley have a life expectancy of 92.6 years, but South Berkeley residents have a life expectancy of 76.6 years, a 16 year difference.

Socioeconomic conditions play a huge role in determining an individuals’ overall health and wellness. Whites and Asians are less likely to live in poverty than Blacks and Latinos, who are more likely to live in West and South Berkeley and more likely to be impacted by housing costs. While unemployment is rebounding after the surge during the pandemic, it was low-wage jobs that were most impacted during the pandemic. Having access to stable housing and healthcare can greatly improve one’s quality of life, which must be taken into consideration when addressing health disparities.

The City is currently in the process of conducting a Community Health Assessment to understand current health issues in our community, which is expected to be completed in August. This will help with the creation of a Community Health Improvement Plan, which will identify and implement strategies to address healthcare. This report is expected to be completed by May 2025.

Today is Election Day

Today, March 5, is Super Tuesday, with California being one of many states voting in Primaries. There are multiple offices and measures up for a vote. Voter turnout is expected to be at or near record lows for a Presidential Primary, but it is not too late to vote if you haven’t already. You must submit your ballot by 8pm in order for your vote to be counted (or be in line by 8pm if you are voting at a vote center).

There are multiple ways you can cast your ballot. There are nine vote centers and six drop boxes in Berkeley. Berkeley voters can also vote at any vote center or drop box located in Alameda County. People who mail their ballots must have it postmarked by today in order for it to be counted. If you are eligible to vote but not registered, you can submit a provisional ballot at a vote center by doing same-day voter registration.

For more information about today’s election and how to vote, click here.

District 4 Special Election on May 28

District 4 covers Downtown Berkeley, North Shattuck, and Central Berkeley.

The special election to fill in the vacant District 4 Council seat will take place on May 28th. This date was set to fulfill obligations in the City Charter and Alameda County Registrar of Voters, while giving prospective candidates enough time to file and voters time to research and make an informed vote. The ranked-choice vote by mail ballots will be sent on April 29, giving voters a full month to cast their vote. The period for candidates to file paperwork to run will begin on March 11 and close on March 29. District 4 residents have until May 13th to register to vote.

Additional details will be posted on the City Clerk’s Election webpage in the coming week, which also contains information about the District 7 Special Election on April 16.

New Job Openings in the City of Berkeley

The City of Berkeley is currently hiring multiple positions that include opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as a comprehensive benefits package. Some of the openings include Senior Planner, Public Safety Analyst, Registered Nurse, and a Maintenance Mechanic. Some of these positions have a continuous application period, others will close on March 11.

In one of these or other open positions, you’d join a team committed to serving our diverse community by creating a safe, accessible, culturally rich, environmentally sustainable, and healthy city. We strive to support local businesses and respond quickly and effectively to neighborhood and commercial concerns.

Visit our complete job listings, which we update almost weekly with new positions. Sign up for job alert emails, sent when jobs in a selected category open for applications.