Presenter: Summer Khan, General Biology, Global Public Health Scholars
I interned at the Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health lab over the summer run by Dr. Sacoby Wilson through the School of Public Health. During my time there, I worked on various research papers relating to environmental justice. Environmental justice is the equal treatment and involvement of all people (regardless of race, sex, national origin, etc) with respect to the development and implementation of environmental regulations and policies. Specifically, I researched Environmental Benefits Districts, which are planned communities with purposeful environmental based initiatives which promote social, economic, ecological, and environmental sustainability. I also researched the effects concentrated animal feeding operations on their surrounding environments with regard to air and water quality and their effects on human health.
Hi @rsaha! This was something that I did not study directly, but more of a thought on how the project could be expanded. Obviously, when choosing sites internationally, there is a lot more criteria that would come into play compared to choosing a place in PG county to implement this. I would say that it should be implemented in cities with high poverty rates and poor environmental quality, so that these things could be mended simultaneously. They would be areas that have been overlooked and do not enjoy the same wealth or benefits as other cities. They should be places where the implementation of these public programs would increase access to good jobs and education, health care, and help rebuild…
I very much enjoyed your presentation not only because it was well thought out but also a topic I had never really considered as a possibility for my own project. You mentioned that. You mentioned in your presentation that the system you were describing could be implemented in disadvantaged cities across the world. What criteria would be used to determine which cities are considered disadvantaged and should be provided with this service?
Hi @asbeams! Thank you for your question. It's something I did not really get to address in my recording but these areas would be defined by increasing or high crimes rates, declining property values, and decreasing neighborhood amenities. Essentially, they are areas where public funding has been low and they lack some of the public programs/initiatives that are funded and enjoyed in higher income communities. Also, I'm glad I could inform you about osteopathic medicine! It is not as well known or traditional, but it is certainly just as interesting and great for individuals looking to help underserved communities.
I think it’s really cool that you looked for a topic that was related to classroom instruction but not one that you had previous experience with. In the section “EBD Inputs”, you mentioned that increased public funding would go to areas “defined by neglect...etc”, how are these areas identified? Overall, it sounds like this had a huge impact on your outlook as a person and future physician. I’m inspired to look into osteopathic medicine because of your project!