PRESCRIPTION 2. ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS: POVERTY, SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS

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Prescription 2: Addressing Environmental Health Hazards

Connecting Physical Illness, Poverty, Spiritual Stewardship, and Justice-Based Healthcare Access

Low-income communities disproportionately suffer from environmental health hazards—polluted air, contaminated water, and unsafe housing—due to their proximity to industrial sites, highways, and waste facilities. Substandard infrastructure, such as aging plumbing, poor ventilation, and mold-infested buildings, amplifies risks for asthma, respiratory illness, lead poisoning, and chronic disease. These burdens fall heaviest on children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, deepening existing health and economic inequities.

At the heart of these disparities is environmental injustice—the result of structural inequality and environmental racism. Economically and politically marginalized communities often lack the power to resist harmful zoning, demand enforcement of environmental regulations, or access preventative healthcare. Addressing this requires not just technical fixes but a justice-oriented framework that prioritizes equity in environmental policy.

Solutions

A multi-pronged approach includes:

• Strengthening environmental regulations on industrial pollution and waste management
• Investing in water infrastructure and housing upgrades
• Supporting urban gardening to increase access to fresh food, reduce toxins, and foster community resilience

These solutions improve health outcomes, reduce long-term healthcare costs, and revitalize neighborhoods through sustainable, community-led change.

Spiritual Insight

Grounded in Genesis 2:15, where humanity is called to “work and take care of” the earth, this issue transcends policy—it is a moral and spiritual calling. Stewardship is not merely passive care, but an active responsibility to protect both creation and the most vulnerable among us. Environmental justice, therefore, becomes both a public health goal and a sacred duty.

Impact & Example

When implemented, environmental improvements reduce preventable illnesses, strengthen community mental health, and break cycles of poverty. The Flint, Michigan water crisis remains a stark example of environmental neglect and the power of grassroots organizing to demand accountability. Flint’s tragedy galvanized national attention and policy reforms, reminding us that clean water, air, and housing are not privileges but rights.

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