The 2019 YPAR student cohort aimed to answer: Is order/disorder associated with lower household income, more home vacancy, and more asthma-related ED visits? Their analysis of assets (e.g., schools, playgrounds, access to fruits/vegetables) and disorders (e.g. litter, alcohol bottles, cigarettes, etc) revealed that neighborhoods with fewer disorders have higher incomes, high percentage of home ownership and fewer asthma ED visit rates, while neighborhoods with more disorders struggle with lower incomes and increased asthma ED visit rates. Their results were presented to public officials, including Supervisor Gioia, Luz Gomez from the Air District, and Thomas Omolo from City Planning for the City of Richmond.
The students were awarded an Art Grant from the City of Richmond and partnered with local artists to translate their findings into a community mural in the parking lot outside of LifeLong Medical Care William Jenkins Health Center in Richmond. The mural features Dr. William Jenkins, one of the first African American Pediatricians in Richmond and pillar to the community, facing assets portrayed in the mural. The students hope this mural will inform the community about the rich assets of Richmond in contrast with environmental hazards that impact the health of its residents.
Related Articles:
- The Art of Giving. August 11, 2021. Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
- William Jenkins Health Center Finally Celebrates Opening. September 28, 2022. Richmond Pulse.
2019 Presentation: "Youth Voices Changing the Way We View Environment and Asthma"
