AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
NYU Grossman School of Medicine (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Health and Economic Empowerment
└ Addressing community health
└ Addressing community health
To gather data on the health impacts of noise pollution, New York University's Grossman School of Medicine installed sound sensors in Manhattan's Chinatown. Project organizers also created a bilingual website, which visualized the sensor data and featured a sound map and resources for self-guided sound walks. To inform the map, organizers made audio recordings of Chinatown residents talking about their experiences with noise. The Grossman School of Medicine then featured the information at the community's first Noise Forum, attended by policymakers and city agencies. Overexposure to noise is associated with health impacts such as anxiety, sleep disturbances and high blood pressure. Older adults face additional risks due to sensory changes that come with aging.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
New York City, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital Connectivity for Disasters
Description: Older adults in the Lower East Side lacked digital skills for disaster preparedness, leaving them vulnerable during emergencies. GOLES created bilingual training modules, hosted three workshops and distributed resources to 10,000 residents. Ambassadors were trained to share knowledge and expand outreach. The program boosted confidence and readiness, with one participant saying, "I didn't even realize how unprepared I was... now I feel better knowing I'll get alerts when something happens."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
New York, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Resilience Other
Description: Residents of public housing developments will participate in disaster‑preparedness workshops. The project will help buildings develop shared emergency plans and provide households with tools to prepare for emergencies.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP New York State Office
750 Third Avenue
Floor 31
New York, NY 10017
United States