Vermont public health association

Thank you Governor Scott for issuing the following proclamation.

by American Indian/Alaska Native, Caucasian and Black populations. For all racial groups, except American Indian/Alaska Native, women are more likely than men to receive mental health services.

For action.

Advocacy for mental health is crucial, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to ask Congress to make mental health services readily available during the current and future public health emergencies. Get involved in Project 2025 — an initiative to reduce the annual rate of suicide. Learn about suicide prevention and intervention by joining the National Alliance on Mental Illness  or APHA’s Mental Health Section. And if you or someone you know is in need of mental health service, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

For health.
The COVID-19 pandemic can affect mental health in many ways, including through loss of a loved one, isolation due to physical distancing mandates, exposure to the virus and loss of income. Given the past year’s strain, it’s not surprising that health care workers have a high risk of developing mental illness. Strategies like being physically active, getting a full night’s sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, practicing gratitude, participating in activities you enjoy, developing coping skills, meditating and connecting with others can improve mental health. People who engage in physical activity have fewer days of poor mental health than people who do not exercise. Talking to a licensed therapist, joining a support group or 12-step program or considering medication under the supervision of a physician can all be beneficial.

Where you are.
There is no single cause for mental illness, and certain childhood risk factors, including growing up in poverty or experiencing abuse, can be an indicator for mental illness later in life. Genetics, isolation and use of alcohol or drugs are other contributing factors as well. Unaddressed mental health challenges can have an impact on employment, housing stability, safety and a range of other issues. This underscores the urgency of access to better treatment and coping options for those most at risk. Prevention, early detection and treatment of mental health conditions can lead to improved physical and community health. Public health can incorporate mental and emotional health development and promotion into prevention strategies and activities. This can make health promotion more effective and protect people from other issues that have lasting physical and mental health impacts, such as community and interpersonal violence, tobacco use and homelessness.

Reference: APHA NPHW: https://www.nphw.org/Themes-and-Facts/2022-mental-health

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Drought causes more frequent and intense wildfires, whose smoke further reduces air quality. Flooding from intense storms leads to property and infrastructure damage, mold growth, food scarcity and water contamination. Flooding can cause injury and death due to trauma and drowning and increase stress and anxiety that adversely affect mental health and wellness. If we don’t move forward with solutions that address the severity of this crisis, these impacts will only get worse, and they will cause disproportionate harm to the most vulnerable among us. Certain populations — such as children, older adults, people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, communities of color, the unsheltered and outdoor workers — are disproportionately affected by climate pollution and climate change, whether because they are inherently more vulnerable or because their resilience has been hampered by a history of disinvestment and systemic racism.

For action.
While climate change hurts everyone, people of color and those with lower incomes experience greater health harms than white and wealthy people, despite being less responsible for the problem. To address social inequities and improve our health, we need to strengthen partnerships with communities most impacted by climate change, support community-directed solutions and improve access to health care.

Share your story to be a climate communicator because personal stories from trusted sources make the health effects of climate change relatable. Urge lawmakers to help public health and medical communities prepare for and respond to health threats caused by climate change. Advocate for policies that support a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Support your local health departments in their efforts to advance health equity and climate resilience.

For health.
Building strong communities makes them more resilient. Communities with greater cohesion have better health outcomes after climate-related disasters. Addressing climate change alongside other inequities, like racial injustice, helps improve the health of communities. If we can keep global warming increases below 2 degrees Celsius, we can dramatically improve the health of children born today, for their entire lives. And we know taking action to reduce and halt climate change today will result in fewer disease outbreaks and better mental health worldwide.

Where you are.
Structural racism has pushed lower-income communities and many people of color to areas that have fewer resources and more climate vulnerability, such as flood zones and urban heat islands. Race is the number one indicator for the placement of toxic facilities in this country, making air pollution an issue where low-income communities and people of color receive a disproportionate share of toxic air releases. People in impacted communities who are living with disabilities are at an even greater risk, as they often have limited access to health care services and emergency information and have historically high rates of illness, injuries or death from climate change events. That’s why we must address this global problem by investing in local solutions that meet the needs of front-line communities and address the disproportionate burdens they shoulder. Impacted communities need to be the drivers of climate policy and be meaningfully involved in decision-making. Public health leaders must work with communities to ensure the best science and policies that address climate injustice are in every conversation about climate change solutions.

Reference: APHA NPHW: https://www.nphw.org/Themes-and-Facts/2022-Climate-Change

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For action.
We can work together to improve the health of people living with disabilities and other marginalized groups by reducing health disparities in health insurance, increasing physical accessibility to care, increasing availability of appropriate care, building more inclusive public health programs and promoting healthy living. Congress is considering to support health equity legislation to reduce the inequities racial and ethnic minorities face. Also, at the national level, are efforts to strengthen public health infrastructure and support investments in the Build Back Better Act to expand access to comprehensive and affordable health coverage and protect the public from threats associated with climate change. 

For health.
Vermont has a stronger public health insurance system than many states. Nationally, under the Affordable Care Act, uninsured rates have dropped. In 2008, only 83.2% of people younger than 65 reported having medical insurance, but by 2014, the insured rate went up to 86.7%. The Healthy People 2030 initiative has allowed us to monitor public health data and address issues within our most vulnerable populations and put evidence-based policies and programs in place to create a healthier nation.

Where you are.
National efforts to address climate change must focus on the historically redlined, urban neighborhoods where the population is largely Black, Indigenous and other people of color. Such communities have less access to green spaces, cooling centers and clean air and are more likely to suffer from climate gentrification. Expanding public health training to include both cultural competence and disability competence is one way to affect the availability and quality of care people receive. And because our community systems contribute to our health and quality of life just as much as our medical care system, strengthening community organizations that provide preventive physical and mental health care services, catering most specifically to people with disabilities, students and unhoused individuals, is supplemental to improving community health, increasing health education and bringing health care to where people are.

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For action.
These issues related to the right to heath are also evident here in Vermont, so VtPHA encourages all of us to stay informed on why health issues are human rights issues. We can work with our Congressional Delegation to urge legislation and funding that supports greater access to health care for all. Employer can support a workplace that promotes health as a human right through family-friendly policies, decent working conditions, non-discrimination and gender equality. We can organize events and partner with community leaders and other local organizations to promote the right to health. Share stories on social media about why health matters, and challenge online misinformation with credible health facts. Support public health leaders, doctors, nurses, journalists, community members, and activists around the world who face attacks for defending our right to health. 

For health.
Human rights are closely tied to how diseases spread and impact communities. Certain groups are at higher risk for disease due to inequalities. The HIV/AIDS epidemic shows us why human rights are so critical to health. People living with HIV often face discrimination that can affect their jobs or housing. Using advocacy and legal action, civil society organizations and people living with the disease have demanded equality and the protection of their right to health. As a result, governments around the world have enacted policy changes, legal reform and greater program funding for HIV/AIDS research and treatment. These actions have helped to extend the lives of those living with the disease as well as reduce the rate of new infections and AIDS-related deaths. 

Where you are.
Social determinants of health impact the health of every community. Where you are born determines your access to health care along with lifestyle and disease prospects. An unequal and fragmented health care system means people receive different care depending on whether they can afford it. If you live in an underserved community, most likely your life expectancy will be shorter than if you live in a well-resourced community. To ensure good health is a reality for everyone, we must call on all countries to protect human rights as part of their health policies and systems. More investments are needed to strengthen the health care workforce and expand services. Better health outcomes depend on health workers delivering quality care.

Racism, stigma and discrimination are setbacks to our health by creating conditions that unfairly disadvantage certain communities while unfairly advancing others. When certain groups are excluded or treated unequally, their physical and mental health suffers. We must find ways to engage communities in speaking out against discrimination and taking action to tackle these inequalities. For information on Vermont’s communities and related health and social measures, visit VT Department of Health’s Social Vulnerability Index.

Reference: APHA NPHW: https://www.nphw.org/Themes-and-Facts/2022-world-health

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For action.

Vermonters have a strong sense of community and know that to make an impact on public health, they can do such actions as join a community garden, donate healthy and culturally appropriate canned food options to food pantries or volunteer to be mentors for local youth. Support community-led solutions by asking questions at public forums or joining a community advisory board. Vermonter’s can get an overview of information on how your state uses public health funding and advocate for our local elected officials to use American Rescue Plan funds to address health disparities. We also can encourage our local towns to support healthy community design that includes parks, sidewalks and bike lanes — and to fund programs to prevent unhealthy living conditions. Pursuing community-engaged, multi-sector partnerships and advocating for a health-in-all-policies approach is a key strategy to improve community health.

For health.
People with greater feelings of support and inclusion within their networks may live longer, respond better to stress and have stronger immune systems than those who are isolated from their communities. However, research also shows that cross-sector efforts are needed to redesign the conditions of our social, built and natural environments to promote health equity and improve social determinants of health. To support such efforts, the public health workforce should possess skills and knowledge that cut across disciplines in areas like policy, communications and data analytics. Neighborhood programs like community gardens not only improve access to nutritious foods, but they also cultivate social support and emotional well-being. Adding elements such as sidewalks, parks, libraries or bike routes to neighborhoods supports physical activity, decreases the negative health effects of air pollution and fosters a sense of community belonging. Local efforts must improve housing, education, food, transportation and the environment to support equity, resilience and health at the individual and community levels.

Where you are.
In Vermont, much of public health is local health and involves meeting people where they are. Multiple aspects of social identity like race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability contribute to a person's physical and mental well-being. Communities of color are heavily impacted by environmental hazards and tend to live in areas with heavy pollution, resulting in an increased likelihood to die from environmental causes. To achieve improved health outcomes for people of all identities, we must look to thoughtfully and meaningfully engage members of our communities whose voices are often ignored. Collaborative, community-led, multi-sector approaches to changing policies and systems can address the conditions that hold disparities in place and create more community resilience.

Reference: APHA NPHW: https://www.nphw.org/Themes-and-Facts/2022-community

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For action.
VtPHA urges support for a federal loan repayment program for public health workers and other provisions to ensure public health readiness. Sign APHA’s action alert to urge Congress to support strong and sustained public health infrastructure funding. Other programs also strengthen the public health workforce, such as those at the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Other action can be to advocate for paid sick leave, including mental health days. VtPHA commends the strong leadership of Vermont’s Public Health officials, however nationally there is a need to uphold standards that protect workers during a pandemic, including legal protections for state public health officials. We should champion peer support and mental health services in the workplace and advocate for diversity within the public health workforce and for training that addresses implicit bias and cultural competency. 

For health.
When health workers feel they’re supported in their work, they have better mental health outcomes. In places where public health authority is strong, communities see lower rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Funding a robust public health workforce supports strong programs to protect communities and help people get and stay healthy physically and mentally. Building a more diverse health workforce would help identify and address structural biases within the health care system to improve health outcomes in underserved communities.

Where you are.

Research shows that every robust health system must have skilled, motivated and well-supported health workers. Public health programs need the support and involvement of the communities they serve, so building public trust and confidence is crucial to building healthy communities. A diverse public health workforce that reflects the diversity of the community is better prepared to address health disparities. The public health workforce is essential to addressing the health challenges of our present and future. For example, it’s crucial that public health workers are included in the planning for and mitigation of climate change. Then, the public health workforce can continue to foster and support the health of their community members, wherever they are.

Reference: APHA NPHW: https://www.nphw.org/Themes-and-Facts/2022-workforce

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