All neighborhoods are not created equal. Your city's land use policies determine your access to public goods and resources like transit options, employment opportunities, healthy food, walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, quality schools, parks and green space, and much more. Thus, your city's land use policies shape your health. Read about nationwide disparities in active zoning and land use policies here. On behalf of the Healthy, Equitable, Active Land Use Network (HEALU Network), the Prevention Institute prepared a policy brief with four strategies to move Los Angeles to a healthier, more equitable land use system. Increase the percentage of public funds invested in health-promoting infrastructure in low income communities of color.
Build capacity in government, ...
According to a report by the National Women’s Law Center, the gender wage gap can cost Latinas up $1 million over a 40 year career in some states. The report breaks down the gender wage gap by state and found that, in 2014, Latina women earned between $.54 and $.55 for every $1 that their white male counterparts did. “A big driver of the wage gap is the gap in opportunities that push Latinas … into different occupations than white men,” said Emily Martin, vice-president for workplace justice at NWLC. “Latina women and African American women are over-represented in low-wage jobs, for example, and under-represented in high-paying occupations like law and engineering,” Latina women lose more than $1 million over their careers in 23 different states, including the District ...
Did you miss the Colorado Health Symposium, "Health is Everyone's Business" event? Not to worry, archived Live Stream video is available for those interested in seeing the conference's speakers talk on various topics including reducing health disparities in Colorado, working in and with Latino communities, finding public health solutions, and more. To learn more and view the different video topics or download presentations, click ...
Racial and economic inequality are two of the most pressing social issues that American society currently deals with. The Institute for Policy Studies and the Corporation for Enterprise Development released a report outlining the current state and found the racial wealth gap has grown steadily, and “without changes in public policy,” it could widen in the coming decades. In discussing economic inequities, the report found that the focus is often on one single facet: income. The new report, entitled The Ever-Growing Gap, focused its attention on a related, but distinct facet of the issue: wealth. The role that wealth plays in achieving financial security and opportunity is a key factor in overall economic equity. In order to reduce health disparities, it is critical to ...
Latino parents have increased the amount of 100 percent fruit juice that they allow their children to consume, according to a recent study by the University of California at San Francisco. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that 100% fruit juice can provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals, but this should not be confused with fruit drinks that are often made with unhealthy amounts of added sugars and flavoring syrups. Additionally, if a child consumes more juice than recommended they could experience weight gain, cavities and tooth decay, and be at risk of type II diabetes. Infants and toddlers that get more than the recommended amounts of juice have additional risks of experiencing diaper rash and diarrhea. Fruit juice should not be used when ...
Growing your own food has grown in popularity over the last few years, according to the National Gardening Association who reveal in 2013 over 40 million households are active in some type of urban food gardening. Gardens help the mind and the heart with encouraging light-to- moderate physical activity with digging, planting, pulling and more. The mind can also benefit from gardening as one learns the nutritious benefits of fresh food, how to incorporate nutritious fresh vegetables into your diet and ways to garden to help to relieve stress and depression. Many farm-to-school programs incorporate educational lessons to help classrooms explore healthy habits, trying new foods, and learning what it takes to grow a plant from seed to harvest. Community gardens and school gardens ...
You don't need a college degree and you don't need to recite Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to initiate change in your community. YOU can make a difference in your community through both political and non-political processes. Follow the news. Learn about community issues. Discuss with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Follow city leaders and elected officials on social media. Reach out to city leaders, elected officials, and other agencies/groups/organizations. Although people may approach issues from a different point of view, ultimately, people care deeply about health and equity. Register on our site to connect with people like you interested in starting or supporting healthy social, political, or environmental change in your community or school. YOU can impact social ...
A new report from the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics has found that nearly 25% of all Americans over the age of 65 have some form of disability. The forum found that nearly a quarter of all seniors say that they have at least one limitation in vision, hearing, mobility, communication, cognition or self-care. “Many Americans enjoy longer lives, though with some functional limitations,” according to a news release from the report’s authors. The findings mean that millions of American, more often spouses and/or children, are becoming caregivers for disabled aging family members. In most cases, according to the report, the burden is rarely excessive. “[About] 86 percent reported that informal caregiving gives them satisfaction that the care recipient is ...
According to an Active Living Research research brief, of the following two new studies shed light on how to make neighborhoods more physical activity-friendly for all people, regardless of income or race: Disparities in pedestrian streetscape environments by income and race/ethnicity
Socioeconomic and race/ethnic disparities in observed park quality Both studies found evidence of “disparities” (pedestrian features that were worse in low‐income and/or high‐minority neighborhoods) and “equitable differences” (pedestrian features that were worse in high‐income and/or mostly White neighborhoods). The different patterns found across regions suggest that local policies, practices, and funding priorities can be effective. Disparities in physical activity ...
