At BCHD, we believe that where a person lives should not dictate if and for how long a person lives. We also understand that overall health in our communities is determined by much more than the care we receive in a healthcare setting, which is why we must safeguard the health of the environment in which we live.

In that spirit, this week I joined Congressman John Sarbanes, State Senator Joan Carter Conway, State Senate President Miller, Speaker Busch, and Delegate Kumar Barve, Chair of Environment and Transportation Committee, at the Maryland Environmental Legislative Summit to discuss the diverse ways in which our environment impacts the health outcomes in our communities. These legislators understand that working on the frontlines of social justice means that we cannot hesitate to improve the health of our residents today.

If a child is exposed to lead, they may suffer a range of detrimental health complications, or potentially death. If a child’s home has triggers for asthma, then they will struggle each day to be well. If a child does not have access to healthy food or a safe space for physical activity, such as recess in schools, then they are at risk for heart disease later in life.

Every day, our team at BCHD addresses these health challenges and provides residents with the access to education and resources to help lead healthier lives. From efforts to remediate lead poisoning in homes, to ensuring that we provide public education and sanitation in our neighborhoods that prevent mosquito threats like Zika and West Nile, we strive to improve long-term outcomes by protecting our environment.

These efforts, while difficult, are critical to the overall health of city.

We must continue pushing forward because environmental health is a key social justice issue. Issues of disparities and structural racism are implicit in environmental health. By speaking up about the cost of inaction and continuing our advocacy, we stand up to injustice. There is no more important time than now. 

Sincerely, 

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.