Racial Disparities In The Air We Breathe
Vehicular air pollution affects people who live near major highways, and they tend to be people of color.
A new analysis from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) finds that people of color in the Greater Boston area are more likely to live near a major roadway that exposes them to high levels of vehicular air pollution. The findings are especially relevant now, since air pollution can cause or exacerbate the underlying health issues that increase the likelihood of dying from COVID-19. (Wasser, 7/23)
Once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., New York City has been attempting a gradual return to normal. But six weeks and four phases of reopening since the lockdown lifted, the city remains a profoundly changed place. Activity is picking back up in parts of the city, but New York鈥檚 reopening is taking shape differently across boroughs鈥攄riven largely by income and race. (Tartar, Kao, Murray, Lin, Popina and Reznik, 7/24)
Thefts that took place at Walmart pharmacies during civil unrest in May may have compromised some patient information, according to notice published in the classified advertisement section of several local newspapers Thursday. After George Floyd died in May while under police restraint, peaceful protests and looting dotted the country and sparked calls for police reform and to address racism in various areas, including in the healthcare industry. Some healthcare businesses were affected by the looting, including some Walmart locations. (Cohen, 7/23)
