Our project is rooted in a commitment to health equity and environmental justice. Low income communities of color are more impacted by poor air quality: they are more likely to live close to major roadways, factories, ports and industrial facilities; they experience health disparities such as higher rates of asthma and more emergency room and hospital visits; and they experience the legacy of racism and disinvestment with neighborhoods with fewer grocery stores, parks and tree and other services and amenities. We hope to address health equity and environmental justice by documenting poor air quality and supporting actions to improve air quality, health and racial justice.
How low income communities of color are impacted
Many low-income communities of color are disproportionately impacted by air pollution and poor air quality due to proximity to major sources of air pollution. These factors include factories, major roadways, ports, railyards, and industrial facilities. Living near these sources can lead to significant negative health effects like asthma, reduced lung function, cardiovascular disease , and premature death
Legacies of structural racism such as redlining, discriminatory lending FHA policies, and disinvestment in historically redlined neighborhoods have created what are known as “sacrifice zones.” These areas suffer from an inequitable distribution of pollution sources, including major roadways, rail lines, ports, and industrial facilities, which disproportionately exposes low-income communities of color to poor air quality and pollution. Many historically redlined neighborhoods endure worse air quality, limited access to green space, and higher risks of heat island effects, all of which negatively impact health outcomes. Consequently, these neighborhoods experience disproportionately higher rates of cardiovascular disease, increased hospitalizations for asthma, and poorer birth outcomes.
Last modified: November 23, 2024
