Richard Angelis lives in Walnut Creek on a tree-lined street in ZIP code 94597, where life expectancy is 87.4 years. But 12 miles southwest of Angelis' home, in the Oakland neighborhood of Sobrante Park, there are nights when Calixto Orantes, 53, hits the ground in a cold sweat inside his small rented home as gunfire erupts nearby. He lives in ZIP code 94603, where life expectancy plunges to 71.2 years.  

Asthma, heart disease and cancer rates are highest in ZIP codes closest to dirtiest roads and businesses.

   Chat Transcript: Life expectancy and health in the Bay Area

   Video: John Fitzpatrick, 94608 | Johnny Fulmore, 94801  

Oakland residents trying to improve their neighborhood -- thereby improving their lives -- as they face life expectancies 16 years shorter than those of residents living 12 miles away.

   Contra Costa takes unusual approach to reduce health disparities

   Video: Pastor Jeffrey Parker, 94603  

Billions of dollars being earmarked to help neighborhoods improve access better, more active lives.

   Chat transcript: Former Surgeon General David Satcher and Rich Hamburg