Race and Health Equity

Kimberly Robinson is the Executive Director of Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and she serves on the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts' Board of Directors. Learn more about her favorite resources in the Race and Health Equity Resource Blog.

Do you have a story or resource to share?

We need YOU to keep the Race and Healthy Equity Resource Guide comprehensive and up-to-date! Do you have a resource that would be a great addition to the Guide? Would you like to share a story about your favorite resource and how you have used it to advance racial equity? Submit a resource here.

Resident-Focused Health Equity Training

The Live Well Springfield Coalition and the Healthy Air Network plan to come together quarterly to provide workshops for their resident advisors. The first training was held in December and focused on health equity. This training looked at structural racism, social determinants of health, and the systemic factors that lead to poor health outcomes in their community. Residents closed the training by envisioning what policies, norms, and conditions would nurture healing and healthy communities. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is exploring ways to expand this type of training opportunity in the community. Contact Lisa Ranghelli if you might be interested.

Future training topics will include policy advocacy, climate change and environmental justice, and ways to navigate municipal and state government. To learn more about the Resident Advisor Training Program, contact Samantha Hamilton.

Coalition Building

Air Monitoring Program Expands

In early January, the Attorney General's office announced they would fund the installation of 10 new air quality monitors in Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, Deerfield, Athol, Orange, Sunderland, and Palmer. These monitors will expand the Healthy Air Network, a collaborative partnership with municipal, public health, and environmental leaders to provide important public health information and to support communities in a region that environmental injustices have disproportionately impacted. Data from the monitors is uploaded in real-time to the Healthy Air Network's website. The website also provides precautions for families to take to protect themselves if high levels of air pollution are detected. Read the full press release.

The Importance of a Mentor

January 17th was International Mentoring Day. Tiffany Rufino, Youth Mental Health Coalition Manager, and Zena Murray, Beat the Odds Program Coordinator at the South End Community Center, spoke with Kayla Hevey on Mass Appeal about the importance of mentoring and how to get involved. Watch now!

Celebrating Resident Advisors in Leadership 

Congratulations to Amari Dewberry, Resident Advisor with Live Well Springfield Climate Change Health, and Equity Coalition, for being selected for the national Young Climate Leaders of Color Program (YCLC) under the People's Climate Innovation Center. YCLC aims to build a nationwide network of young leaders of color who are learning, growing, and advancing climate justice work in their communities. Amari is excited to be one of forty youth leaders undertaking this one-year commitment. Amari shares, "This opportunity to participate in the YCLC program means that I get to network with climate and environmental justice change-makers around the nation while also sharing the climate and environmental justice work that I am involved with in my community. To be able to share ideas, experiences, mindsets, and attitudes not only opens the doors for my community work but also for others to learn and expand our missions." 

Springfield City Council Approves Community Choice Energy 

Live Well Springfield Climate Change Health and Equity coalition has advocated for Community Choice Energy (CCE) in Springfield. On December 5th, the City Council Sustainability and Environmental Subcommittee called for a vote, and the council members unanimously supported it. CCE is an energy-supply option that would allow the City of Springfield to get up to 100% of its electricity from clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Eversource would still provide our energy, and we would still pay our electric bills to Eversource. 

This vote is one step towards energy price stability and climate resilience for residents in Springfield, but there is still work to do! Our CCE Factsheet (Hoja de hechos) highlights the additional steps we need to take to have CCE in Springfield. The coalition will now advocate to the mayor and city staff to see which department will take up the charge to implement CCE.  

Let your voice be heard today by signing the Springfield Community Choice Energy Petition (Petición de Springfield Community Choice Energy (Opciones Comunitarias de Energía).

COVID-19 News & Resources

Current Status of Covid in Western MA

The new Omicron subvariant, XBB.15, is causing over 75% of cases in the northeast right now. XBB.15 is an unusual subvariant because it is the product of two different forms of Omicron, making it the most contagious form of Omicron we have seen yet. 

Due to at-home tests that aren’t reported, we cannot rely on official case counts to assess the level of transmission in our communities. Looking at other data can help tell the true story of what is currently happening. The percent test positivity rate, wastewater surveillance data, and hospitalization rate indicate that there is currently substantial community transmission. The CDC’s COVID Community Levels also show all 4 counties in Western Massachusetts in the medium category. CDC guidance for communities in this medium category includes:

• If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public.
• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses. The bivalent booster can help provide better protection because it specifically targets Omicron. 
• Maintain ventilation improvements.
• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Estado actual de Covid en el oeste de MA

La nueva subvariante de Omicron, XBB.15, está causando más del 75 % de los casos en el noreste en este momento. XBB.15 es una subvariante inusual porque es el producto de dos formas diferentes de Omicron, lo que la convierte en la forma más contagiosa de Omicron que hemos visto hasta ahora.

Debido a las pruebas en el hogar que no se informan, no podemos confiar en los recuentos oficiales de casos para evaluar el nivel de transmisión en nuestras comunidades. Mirar otros datos puede ayudar a contar la verdadera historia de lo que está sucediendo actualmente. La tasa de porcentaje de positividad de la prueba, los datos de vigilancia de aguas residuales y la tasa de hospitalización indican que actualmente existe una transmisión comunitaria sustancial. Los niveles comunitarios de COVID de los CDC también muestran los 4 condados del oeste de Massachusetts en la categoría media. La guía de los CDC para las comunidades en esta categoría media incluye:

• Si tiene un alto riesgo de enfermarse gravemente, use una máscara o un respirador de alta calidad (p. ej., N95) cuando esté en lugares públicos.
• Si tiene contacto doméstico o social con alguien con alto riesgo de enfermarse gravemente, considere la posibilidad de autoevaluarse para detectar la infección antes del contacto y considere usar una máscara de alta calidad cuando esté en interiores con esa persona.
• Manténgase al día con las vacunas contra el COVID-19, incluidas las dosis de refuerzo recomendadas. El refuerzo bivalente puede ayudar a proporcionar una mejor protección porque se dirige específicamente a Omicron. 
• Mantener los ambientes ventilados.
• Evite el contacto con personas con sospecha o confirmación de COVID-19.
• Siga las recomendaciones de aislamiento si tiene sospecha o confirmación de COVID-19.
• Siga las recomendaciones sobre qué hacer si está expuesto a alguien con COVID-19.

Gift Cards for Vaccination

The Get Boosted program has been extended through March 31, 2023! Residents of all ages who get vaccinated (first, second, or booster) at participating clinics can receive a $75 gift card to local retailers, while supplies last. There are clinics in Amherst, Chicopee, Greenfield, Holyoke, and Springfield offering this incentive.  

Tarjetas de regalo para la vacunación

¡El programa Get Boosted se ha extendido hasta el 31 de marzo de 2023! Los residentes de todas las edades que se vacunen (primera, segunda o refuerzo) en las clínicas participantes pueden recibir una tarjeta de regalo de $75 para los minoristas locales, hasta agotar existencias. Hay clínicas en Amherst, Chicopee, Greenfield, Holyoke y Springfield que ofrecen este incentivo.

Free COVID Tests and PPE Available

Community organizations can order free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests, KN95 masks, surgical masks, goggles, face shields, and nitrile gloves—while supplies last. Organizations that are interested in ordering supplies must complete this short form.

Pruebas gratuitas de COVID y PPE disponibles

Las organizaciones comunitarias pueden solicitar pruebas rápidas de antígeno COVID-19 en el hogar, máscaras KN95, máscaras quirúrgicas, gafas protectoras, protectores faciales y guantes de nitrilo, hasta agotar existencias. Las organizaciones que estén interesadas en solicitar suministros deben completar este breve formulario.

News, Events, and Resources

Come Work with Us!

We are seeking a full-time Administration and Contracts Coordinator. Are you looking to join a group of hard-working people who are trying to change the world? Are you passionate about racial equity, social determinants of health, and policy that drives real change? Come work for a small but mighty organization. We are growing and hope you will grow with us! Learn more.

New 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line

The Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call for real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment. The BHHL is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone call and text at 833-773-2445 (BHHL), and online chat at masshelpline.com.

The new helpline was established as part of the Baker-Polito Administration's Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, which also includes the opening of 25 Community Behavioral Health Centers and community-based crisis intervention services. Learn more.

And, don't forget, help is also available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. When you call, text, or chat "988", you will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, provide support, and connect you to resources if necessary.