With the recent revelations that the homeless population in
New York City is now at its greatest numbers since the Great Depression, we are
again face to face with a public health crisis of astronomical proportions.
Showing posts with label social justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social justice. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Social Justice, Public Health, and the Pursuit of Happiness
The health department where I am currently employed is the recipient of a three-year social justice grant from a large national foundation. Despite a steep learning curve vis-a-vis emergency preparedness, the coordination of our local Medical Reserve Corps, and developing wellness programs for town employees, the social justice mission of our little health department is one of the most intriguing aspects of my new workplace.
When one generally thinks of public health, one thinks of communicable and infectious diseases, vaccinations, disease surveillance, and epidemiology. But I am learning that access to health care, food insecurity, and access to adequate housing can all be seen under the umbrella of public health, especially when looking at these issues through a social justice lens.
In addition to our social justice grant, our health department also boasts a Cambodian outreach worker who is responsible for outreach to the Cambodian refugee community in our area, a sizeable cohort which has varying levels of need vis-a-vis health care access and other social issues.
For American-born citizens, refugees and immigrants alike, free and equal access to adequate health care is indeed a privilege in this country, but it is a privilege that many of us prefer to view as a basic human right.
Along with housing, employment and education, my progressive heart wants to see every American have free and unfettered access to as much education as his or her heart desires; comfortable and affordable housing; gainful employment; sufficient quality and quantity of food; and high-quality and accessible health care. Call me a bleeding heart, but my personal vision of social justice includes what I see as essential components of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
In terms of my work as a Public Health Nurse, I want to remind myself that the "public" aspect of my job entails my responsibility to the public, the people who live within the geographic area of my jurisdiction. The Human Rights Commission in our town is very active, and I see part of my duty as the PHN to reach out to this group (and others) who spend their time assuaging the suffering of our homeless, hungry, and uninsured.
Aside from the nuts and bolts (and syringes) of my work, I want to delve into the area of social justice wholeheartedly. There is nothing more worth fighting for in my book, so why not start right here at home?
When one generally thinks of public health, one thinks of communicable and infectious diseases, vaccinations, disease surveillance, and epidemiology. But I am learning that access to health care, food insecurity, and access to adequate housing can all be seen under the umbrella of public health, especially when looking at these issues through a social justice lens.
In addition to our social justice grant, our health department also boasts a Cambodian outreach worker who is responsible for outreach to the Cambodian refugee community in our area, a sizeable cohort which has varying levels of need vis-a-vis health care access and other social issues.
For American-born citizens, refugees and immigrants alike, free and equal access to adequate health care is indeed a privilege in this country, but it is a privilege that many of us prefer to view as a basic human right.
Along with housing, employment and education, my progressive heart wants to see every American have free and unfettered access to as much education as his or her heart desires; comfortable and affordable housing; gainful employment; sufficient quality and quantity of food; and high-quality and accessible health care. Call me a bleeding heart, but my personal vision of social justice includes what I see as essential components of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
In terms of my work as a Public Health Nurse, I want to remind myself that the "public" aspect of my job entails my responsibility to the public, the people who live within the geographic area of my jurisdiction. The Human Rights Commission in our town is very active, and I see part of my duty as the PHN to reach out to this group (and others) who spend their time assuaging the suffering of our homeless, hungry, and uninsured.
Aside from the nuts and bolts (and syringes) of my work, I want to delve into the area of social justice wholeheartedly. There is nothing more worth fighting for in my book, so why not start right here at home?
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Economics and Confusion
Thinking further about the economic issues that I touched on in my last post, it's so hard to get one's brain around what's happening here in the U.S. this week. With such dire news and warnings of financial Armageddon, how does one tease out the truth from all of the hyperbole?
Articles abound about what will happen if the bailout doesn't pass. Blame is passed from hand to hand. But where do we ordinary citizens fit in? What do we stand to lose or gain in the process?
Economics is one area where this nurse is most weak when it comes to understanding the bigger picture. Understanding my own personal economy is difficult enough. But I just can't stop thinking that many of the people in need of a bailout themselves are going to be left in the dust no matter what happens.
Whether we look at the notion of fighting poverty, rejecting what seems like a rescue of Wall Street, or using that $700 billion to help Americans keep the homes they are about to lose, there is enough confusion and different versions of "the Truth" to keep us all reeling from a dose of 21st century financial vertigo.
At this time in history, there are intelligent arguments in favor of nationalized healthcare, while Americans are going into bankruptcy just to pay for healthcare they can't afford but literally can't live without. Meanwhile, many people are losing their homes in record numbers and Wall Street speculators and investment banks look to the federal government to rescue them from their own excesses.
So, where is the bailout for the thousands of poor Gulf Coast residents who lost their homes and have still not been able to return home?
Where is the bailout for first responders disabled in the aftermath of 9/11 and unable to return to work and normal life?
Where is the bailout for the homeless, the uninsured children, the wrongly incarcerated, the disenfranchised, the disabled?
Where are the reparations for slavery? For Native Americans?
These are just some of the questions that come to mind as the sum of $7 billion is bandied about so blithely.
Articles abound about what will happen if the bailout doesn't pass. Blame is passed from hand to hand. But where do we ordinary citizens fit in? What do we stand to lose or gain in the process?
Economics is one area where this nurse is most weak when it comes to understanding the bigger picture. Understanding my own personal economy is difficult enough. But I just can't stop thinking that many of the people in need of a bailout themselves are going to be left in the dust no matter what happens.
Whether we look at the notion of fighting poverty, rejecting what seems like a rescue of Wall Street, or using that $700 billion to help Americans keep the homes they are about to lose, there is enough confusion and different versions of "the Truth" to keep us all reeling from a dose of 21st century financial vertigo.
At this time in history, there are intelligent arguments in favor of nationalized healthcare, while Americans are going into bankruptcy just to pay for healthcare they can't afford but literally can't live without. Meanwhile, many people are losing their homes in record numbers and Wall Street speculators and investment banks look to the federal government to rescue them from their own excesses.
So, where is the bailout for the thousands of poor Gulf Coast residents who lost their homes and have still not been able to return home?
Where is the bailout for first responders disabled in the aftermath of 9/11 and unable to return to work and normal life?
Where is the bailout for the homeless, the uninsured children, the wrongly incarcerated, the disenfranchised, the disabled?
Where are the reparations for slavery? For Native Americans?
These are just some of the questions that come to mind as the sum of $7 billion is bandied about so blithely.
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