According to a report released by The Commonwealth Fund in February 2000, the uninsured rate among working-age adults (ages 18 to 64) in New York City varies considerably across the city's five boroughs. Citywide, 28% of this group are uninsured -- a rate about 50% higher than that for either New York State or the nation. However, among the boroughs, the proportion of uninsured varies from a high of 33% in Queens to a low of 15% in Staten Island. The Commonwealth Fund notes that these variations may be explained by differences in the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of each borough's residents. For example, Queens has the highest percentage of residents between 100% and 250% of the Federal poverty level. Individuals in this income bracket often lack employer-based coverage but generally earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Staten Island, on the other hand, has the highest percentage of nonpoor residents and non-Hispanic whites -- two groups that are most likely to have insurance.

Source: The Commonwealth Fund Survey of Health Care in New York City, 1997.