A range of socioeconomic and environmental conditions such as income, segregation, racism, pollution, crime, availability of fresh foods and safe recreational facilities, and accessible quality housing have dramatic impacts on an individual's health. Where you live, work, go to school, and play can hinder or enhance good health. PolicyLink proposes principles, strategies, and policies to improve the impacts that neighborhoods and communities have on their residents' health.
Asthma's growing prevalence and the environmental factors that exacerbate it is a case in point. Asthma is now an epidemic in many low-income communities of color. For example, a study of children in Harlem , New York found 25% had asthma or symptoms of the disease. In 2002, PolicyLink researched policy approaches designed to minimize environmental triggers of childhood asthma. Fighting Childhood Asthma: How Communities Can Win, describes strategies, policies, and promising practices, including a national scan of asthma legislation as well as policy recommendations for reducing environmental triggers in homes, schools, and the outdoors.
One in ten children in California has asthma, with far higher prevalence in low-income communities of color. For the last two years, PolicyLink has been working in California with Community Action to Fight Asthma (CAFA)-12 local and 4 regional coalitions from around the state that are focused on making policy changes to reduce environmental triggers of childhood asthma. The coalitions have worked at the local and state levels. Last year, the groups successfully supported legislation to include agricultural equipment under the state's environmental protection act. CAFA coalitions also seek to improve indoor air quality in schools and to improve outdoor air quality by reducing diesel emissions (a known trigger of asthma). PolicyLink delivers technical assistance to the groups that is designed to build skills and knowledge about policy, advocacy, and communications. www.calasthma.org
From our initial study of health disparities, PolicyLink published two reports demonstrating the powerful influence of community conditions on the health of individuals and families. "Reducing Health Disparities Through a Focus on Communities" pulls from extensive interviews, site visits, and an exhaustive research review to make these connections. "Regional Development and Physical Activity: Issues and Strategies for Promoting Health Equity" explores the connection between development patterns, physical activity, and poor health. The report makes recommendations for facilitating increased physical activity by improving community design and suggesting new goals for community organizing.