Race and Health Equity

Lisa Ranghelli is the Director of Assessment and Capacity Building at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. One of her favorite resources is Layla F. Saad's book, Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor. Learn more about this book and why Lisa values it.

Another resource we love!

Check out this resource from the CDC, Preferred Terms for Select Population Groups & Communities, which discusses the importance of utilizing preferred terms for select population groups. These terms attempt to represent an ongoing shift toward non-stigmatizing language. This resource can be used as a guide to choose words that are inclusive and appropriate for a specific use and audience.

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.

Welcome Our New Staff and Board Members!

New Staff

Jacqueline Velez is a Community Project Coordinator for LiveWell Springfield, focusing on the Transforming Communities Initiative. She comes to us with thirteen years of experience working in advocacy, organizing, and communications. She is also the chair of the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women & Girls.

New Board Members

Johnetta Baymon is the Co-Pastor of Deliverance Center Ministries. She ministers to the spiritual and physical needs of people throughout the city of Springfield and its surrounding areas. Johnetta has founded and coordinated several organizations such as Deliverance Center Ministries, Royal Heritage Women's Institute, Faith Based Health Alliance, Springfield Food Policy Obesity Conference, and Heart to Heart Women's Fellowship.

Linda Thompson is the President of Westfield State University. Prior, she served as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UMass Boston. In Baltimore City, she was the director of occupational medicine and safety and developed programs and policies to promote the health of the city workforce, including the implementation of policies for HIV prevention and substance abuse. At the state level, she served as special secretary of children, youth and families, and developed programs and policies to improve quality of care for vulnerable populations of children.

Policy

Rep. Arriaga Introduces Bill to Ramp Up Healthy Homes Statewide! 

The Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition (PVAC) is one of many coalitions led by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Since 2014 PVAC has been leading collaborative efforts to address housing conditions that can cause or exacerbate asthma. In 2017, PVAC partnered with Revitalize Community Development Corporation to create a local model for turning unhealthy homes into “healthy homes.” That model became what is now known as the award-winning DASHH program--Doorway to an Accessible, Healthy Home--and is led by Revitalize CDC. Fast forward to 2023, and now there is a bill before the MA State Legislature that would create a statewide version of DASHH. An Act Creating the MA Healthy Homes Program was introduced by Senator Keenan, Rep. Cruz, and one of Western MA’s newly elected officials, Rep. Shirley Arriaga of Chicopee. This new bill would provide grants and forgivable loans to eligible owner-occupants to address a multitude of health hazards (e.g. asbestos, mold, pests, lead) as well as conditions to improve energy and lower utility costs. Additionally, this bill would also increase coordination and leverage funding from existing home repair programs. We are a proud partner with the MA Association of Community Development Corporations, the organization leading the advocacy effort for this bill. To help make this bill a reality, contact your state senator and representative and ask them to co-sponsor SD.728 / HD.3864. 

Behavioral Health in Western MA

In early December, Executive Director Jessica Collins joined several other speakers at the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum's virtual forum, Roadmap to Behavioral Health in Western Massachusetts. This forum examined the depth and causes of the behavioral health crisis and potential solutions. It also looked at recently passed Mental Health ABC: Addressing Barriers to Care and the state's Roadmap for Behavioral Health. 

We are pleased to announce that in January the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts was awarded a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation to create a regional roadmap for an "Equitable Behavioral Health Ecosystem in Western MA". Our regional roadmap will align prevention with the treatment infrastructure being supported through state funding. Stay tuned!

COVID-19 News

Ending the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration

The Biden administration recently announced that it plans to end the COVID-19 national emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. This does not mean COVID is over. There are a lot of questions being raised and discussions happening about what this means and the impacts this will have on costs and access to COVID-19 testing, treatments, and vaccines.

As more information unfolds over the next three months, we will share important information about any changes that will impact MA residents. Right now, what we do know is that the way we protect ourselves from COVID-19 hasn’t changed. Getting vaccinated and boosted, staying home and accessing treatments if sick, testing if exposed or symptomatic, and wearing a high-quality mask when levels are high. These are all ways we can continue to protect ourselves and loved ones, and manage the pandemic.

Fin de la Declaración de Emergencia Nacional COVID-19

La administración de Biden anunció recientemente que planea poner fin a las declaraciones de emergencia nacional de COVID-19 el 11 de mayo de 2023. Esto no significa que COVID haya terminado. Se plantean muchas preguntas y debates sobre lo que esto significa y los impactos que tendrá en los costos y el acceso a las pruebas, tratamientos y vacunas de COVID-19.

A medida que se desarrolle más información durante los próximos tres meses, compartiremos información importante sobre cualquier cambio que afectará a los residentes de MA. En este momento, lo que sí sabemos es que la forma en que nos protegemos del COVID-19 no ha cambiado. Vacunarse y reforzarse, quedarse en casa y acceder a tratamientos si está enfermo, hacerse pruebas si está expuesto o tiene síntomas, y usar una máscara de alta calidad cuando los niveles son altos. Todas estas son formas en que podemos continuar protegiéndonos a nosotros mismos y a nuestros seres queridos, y manejando la pandemia.

COVID Dashboard Schedule Shift

Effective March 1, we will reduce the frequency we update the Western Massachusetts COVID-19 Data Dashboard to monthly rather than weekly. The dashboard will be updated on the third Friday of each month.

News, Events, and Resources

Upcoming Events

• Healthy Air Network Meeting, 2/22/23 at 5:00 pm: Join us to hear updates about the Healthy Air Network and how we are tracking local air quality. To join, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9434150053.
• Webinar- Elevating Inclusive Age- and Dementia Friendly Communities, 2/23/23 from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm: This webinar will feature Dr. Alexandre Kalache, a renowned international leader in the age-friendly movement, along with state and local leaders advancing inclusive, age- and dementia friendly initiatives. Samantha Hamilton, Senior Manager of Community Engagement, will also be a speaker. Learn more and register.
• "I Am More Than My Mood" Mental Health Awareness Campaign Launch Event, 2/24/23 from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm at the Community Music School of Springfield: The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition invites you to the "I Am More Than My Mood" mental health awareness campaign launch event. Hear from the youth who helped develop the campaign and enjoy light refreshments. Learn more and register.

PHIWM In the News

Our projects and staff frequently appear in the news. Check out some of the latest:

• AG Healey Expands Air Quality Monitoring Project to Track Pollution Levels in Pioneer Valley Communities, Mass.gov, Learn More
• Massachusetts public health officials award $100,000 to address environmental and climate justice, Mass.gov, Learn More
• Tracking air quality- State expands Valley monitoring program to 10 more communities in region, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Learn More
• Importance of a mentor on International Mentoring Day, Mass Appeal, Learn More
• Partnerships, power of convening help Live Well Springfield Coalition advance climate, Kresge Foundation- News & Views, Learn More
• Commission reviews economic, environmental impacts of rail, Greenfield Recorder, Learn More

News & Resources

• Feedback Needed for Youth Problem Gambling Assessment: The Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling is looking for more information about how to support clinicians working with youth that have a tendency toward problem gambling. This is in an effort to build a bridge between mental health, substance use, and problem gambling in youth. Complete the survey.
• Health New England Community Health Needs Assessment Now Available: This report is a great resource. It covers the four counties in Western Massachusetts as well as part of Worcester County. Access county-level data, comprehensive data on youth mental health, and more! Read the report.

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.