WEEK 4: PUBLIC HEALTH

TODAY'S CHALLENGE:
ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM

Social determinants of health, or conditions in which we live, play and work, have a significant impact on a wide range of health risks and outcomes.

Differences in health are striking in communities with unstable housing, low income, unsafe neighborhoods and/or substandard education - often communities of color. For generations, the impact of pollution and environmental damage has largely fallen on marginalized communities.

Systemically racist policies have resulted in people of color having an increased likelihood of exposure to unsafe drinking water, lead paint in homes, and industrial waste. Today we examine the environmental justice movement and the people of color pushing for change.


WE CHALLENGE YOU TO TAKE...

Watch this video about how African Americans face disproportionate rates of lead poisoning, asthma, and environmental harm.

The climate crisis disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities. Read about how Indigenous people have been at the forefront of the fight against the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and other environmental injustices.
Scientist and philosopher Vandana Shiva links environmental activism to social justice and argues that this intersection can help us find common humanity.
PUBLIC HEALTH
WEEKLY ACTION ALERT

LEVEL 1 :   Talk to your company/organization's Human Resources department about their parental leave policy and other systems in place to support new parents.

LEVEL 2 :  Write a letter to your local elected officials urging them to declare racism a public health crisis.

LEVEL 3 : Join Your Neighbor's Hood Podcast and Volunteer Hampton Roads in an effort to build relationships and continue the conversation around race by hosting Just Dinner .

JOIN THE  21 DAY CHALLENGE FACEBOOK GROUP   FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH FELLOW PARTICIPANTS