Milwaukee County – �鶹��Ƶ

Assessing the link between climate change-induced weather events, heat-related illness, and the disproportional impacts experienced by low-SES communities in Milwaukee County

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:40:15 +0000

Exposure to extreme heat can cause a multitudeof adverse health impacts including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, andeven death. Because of the significant hazardsthat heat presents, it is important to determine thedistributionof these outcomes. Studying this distribution in Milwaukee County isespecially vital because of the stark health inequities that exist. Although difficult to measure, Milwaukee has found itself ranked among the most segregated cities in the United States for several decades. Residential segregationhasledtodisinvestment and unequal distribution of resources, resulting in ongoing structural racism,poorer health,anda general lack of preparedness for adverse environmental events.The present study attempts tocomprehensively assess the impacts of heaton Milwaukee County residents. This was performedthrough both a spatial analysis ofheat exhaustion and heat stroke incidenceand through conducting semi-structured interviews with organizational leaders to better understand the barriers that residents face. Twomain clusterswere identified through spatialanalysis: North Milwaukee, including the North Division and Sherman Park neighborhoods, and West Milwaukee, including West Allisandthesurrounding neighborhoods. Six interviews were performed andrevealedthat the most predominant barriers these communities faceinclude personal finances, built environment, individual lack of knowledge, and organizational lack of knowledge. Participants suggested various solutionson how toaddress these barriers, including infrastructureimprovements, public sector influence, collaboration with other organizations, and education and awareness strategies. Specific caveats presented by study participants should beheavilyconsidered, however, more research is required on how toimplement these programssuch that theyeffectively mitigate the risks of climate change-induced heatevents.

This projected conducted in partnership with the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management and Zilber School of Public Health.

UniverCity Year Contact Info
Gavin Luter
Managing Director
gavin@cows.org
608-261-1141

Understanding the social determinants of health and legislation

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:40:15 +0000

Access to healthcare is deeply linked with economic standing. Economic standing can be defined by a variety of factors. For the purpose of our project, we are defining economic standingby employment, debt, and income security. We believe this social determinant category to be significant because the disproportionate level of poverty minorities face, especially when analyzed through a level of health perspective, is a form of violence. In this project, we plan to outline, specifically within the Milwaukee community, how economic standing is a social determinant and deeply impacts the ability of minority groups to receive equal access to healthcare.

This project conducted in partnership with Marquette University Honors Program.

UniverCity Year Contact Info
Gavin Luter
Managing Director
gavin@cows.org
608-261-1141

Addressing racial disparities in Milwaukee County: Policy and program suggestions

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:40:15 +0000

Since the County Executive’s declaration of racism as a public health crisis in 2019, Milwaukee County has taken steps, such as creating this project, towards understanding how the county has historically contributed to the racial disparities still persisting in the community as well as how these issues can be rectified. This document details some findings/suggestions regarding various policies and programs that can be implemented or improved upon in order to address the racial disparities currently affecting Milwaukee County.

UniverCity Year Contact Info
Gavin Luter
Managing Director
gavin@cows.org
608-261-1141

Exploring equity and climate change in Milwaukee County

Victor Manzanilla — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:40:14 +0000

This research papers provides an analysis of the housing distribution within the city of Milwaukee and how minority groups are at a more significant disadvantage health wise. Climate change, redlining, and fossil fuel burning were among the most notable reasons as to why these health differences exist. This projected conducted in partnership with the Milwaukee [...]