The Hi-Crest neighborhood is ranked 4 out of 5 in food insecurity, with a rank of 5 being the most food insecure. The closest grocery stores to Avondale East are at least a mile or longer away. The community is considered to be a food desert, a transportation desert, and a childcare desert. The west side of the Hi-Crest Neighborhood only has one bus stop, which is located outside of SENT’s building. The community has carried these unfavorable designations for as long as the city has been categorizing neighborhoods, until recently. Due in large part to SENT’s work, and per the 2024 Health Map, the East side of HI-Crest is now rated as a “healthy” neighborhood and the West side remains “at risk.” But much work remains to be done, both to cement gains and to continue to rise.

The results of a 2024 Health Ratings report for Shawnee County show:

• Children in Poverty decreased from 16% to 15%. That number is much higher for our minority communities. It's 42% for American Indian & Alaskan Native, 26% for black children, and 21% for Hispanic children.
• Our poor physical health days increased from 3 to 3.4, and our poor mental health days per month increased from 5 to 5.7. These are above the state and national averages. 
• In Shawnee County, Kansas, 12% of households spent 50% or more of their income on housing, up from 11%. A family is considered cost-burdened if they spend 30% or more on rent and utilities. (Studies indicate that an area family must make $38.27/hr to make ends meet or almost $79,601/yr). This leaves little to spend on high-quality, healthy food, which has a significant impact on overall health.
• 39% of adults age 20 and older are Obese in Shawnee County compared to 16% in Kansas as a whole.
• Only 24% of adults are physically inactive in Shawnee County and 17% of adults drink excessively.