In 2017, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there were over 2600 asthma-related hospitalizations among children in Georgia. The cost of these hospitalizations in monetary terms was $37.4 million dollars, but no amount of money can measure the toll that fear for a child’s health can take on a family. Throughout the United States, families of color are disproportionately impacted by asthma: Black children are five times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than non-Hispanic white children, and eight times more likely to die from asthma. Poor air quality can exacerbate asthma, and climate change is creating conditions that make poor air quality more and more common.
Unfortunately, climate change’s impact on health extends far beyond asthma, and these impacts aren’t distributed evenly or fairly. On February 1st, Moms’ own Almeta Cooper moderated a panel discussion on climate change and health equity in Georgia. This round-table discussion featured Georgia State Representative Mandisha Thomas; pediatricians Dr. Yolanda Whyte of Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action and Dr. Preeti Jaggi of Decatur Cares About Climate; and Mia Delamar, of Georgia Conservation Voters. In an inspiring, informative, and deeply personal conversation, the panelists talked about:
- How climate change is affecting our health and our children’s health.
- How health inequities and racial bias in health care make communities of color especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
- Why it’s important for health care providers to learn about climate change and health.
- Climate solutions for our families and communities.
- And why you should get involved in climate action.
You can watch the recording of the discussion discussion on the Moms Clean Air Force YouTube channel. Our new fact sheet, 10 Things to Know About Climate, Clean Air, and Health Equity, offers an overview of some of the ways climate change is affecting communities of color. Everyone deserves a fair chance to be healthy in a changing climate—that’s why fighting for equitable climate solutions is a key part of our work at Moms Clean Air Force.