The 2020 Census kicks off on March 12 with nearly every household in the country receiving an invitation to complete the census online, over the telephone, or by mailing in a paper form, all in an effort to count every person residing in the United States. The decennial census is a requirement of the United States Constitution and the results determine a number of very important things, including the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, congressional and state legislative districts, school districts, voting precincts, and the annual allocation of $675 billion dollars of federal funds until the next census in 2030.

That last point is critical for the funding of public schools, government housing programs, infrastructure, and health care. Funding for major health programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and community health centers is determined by the results of the census.  In 2019, there were approximately 172 million people receiving Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC benefits, so ensuring that everyone in the country is accurately counted has a direct impact on the health and well-being of people all across the country.

The Bronx has a large population of people who receive such benefits, but unfortunately, the county has historically been undercounted. For the 2010 census, the Bronx had a response rate of just 64 percent compared to the overall national response rate of 73 percent. This significant undercount means that residents of the Bronx did not receive the full allocation of resources they deserved and many people in our communities suffered as a result. In a county that has consistently ranked last in health outcomes in New York State, an accurate count of Bronx residents is vital to ensuring that the basic health needs of our neighbors are met.

And it’s not just beneficiaries of such government programs who are impacted by the census count. An accurate count is important for everyone because when a given area is undercounted and therefore doesn’t receive the necessary resources to meet the needs of its residents, local governments are forced to come up with other ways to fill in the funding gaps, often in the form of tax increases.

There are numerous reasons people might be reluctant to complete the census. But be assured that doing so is completely safe. The census will not ask about immigration status or release any other sensitive information that puts people at risk. In fact, the Census Bureau does not share the data they collect from the decennial census with any government agencies, and all Census Bureau employees take a lifelong oath to protect the data or face a penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if they fail to do so.

We all have to do our part to make sure our communities receive the resources they need and are as healthy as they can be, so let’s do everything we can to no longer be among the most undercounted counties in the country and the least health county in the state. Let’s do ourselves and all of our neighbors a favor by completing the census accurately, making sure to include everyone in the household regardless of age or status. It’s important, it’s safe, and it’s easy.

Jason Caraballo is a member of Bronx Community Board 4, a member of CB4’s Health & Human Services Committee, and member of the Jerome Avenue Public Health Task Force.