News from: Desert Healthcare District

For almost a year, since Tropical Storm Hilary swept through the Coachella Valley last August, desert residents have experienced a noticeable change in our environment.

The storm left in its wake wet sand and mud in homes, roadways and other locations that rarely see the effects of flooding. The addition of high winds, which parts of our community are prone to, further displaced these elements and possibly spread toxins that were previously dormant.

One result: visibly poor air quality due to hotter weather, a drier climate, and windblown dust. The Desert Sun reported in June that while scientists say there is not evidence of more harmful particles in the air, residents are increasingly concerned about air quality and seeking solutions.

Frequent exposure to poor air quality, such as ozone gas and floating particles, can lead to coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, reduced lung function, and a variety of respiratory diseases, cancer, and heart attacks, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

On September 20 and 21, local air quality, water quality, and other environmental health challenges will be centerstage at Healthy Desert, Healthy You, an environmental health summit developed by the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation with multiple community partners. Nonprofit leaders, elected officials, valley residents and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the two-day summit, where public health and environmental experts will explore the existing challenges, present and future impact, and solutions that can be applied from the household level to state government.

“We are excited to present this summit as an opportunity to raise awareness of how our local environment can affect our health and to issue a call-to-action for everyone in the valley to get involved,” said Chris Christensen, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO. “Our goal with this event is to provide information that leads to real-world action to improve environmental health conditions and our quality of life.”

Speakers

The summit will feature many knowledgeable and respected leaders as panelists. Environmental activist Nalleli Cobo is expected to be a summit highlight, as the Call-to-Action/Keynote Speaker on September 21. Cobo, who is the co-founder of People Not Pozos, made international news at age 19 when she identified a correlation between the illnesses affecting her and her neighbors and the presence of an oil-drilling site in their Los Angeles neighborhood. Her activism led to closing the site down, and she was awarded the 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize.

In addition to sharing her experience and insights with the summit audience, Cobo will meet separately with Coachella Valley youth organizations onsite. “To have Miss Cobo participate in our first environmental health summit is incredible,” said Evett PerezGil, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board president. “Her story of one person’s determination to make a difference is truly inspiring.”

Other confirmed speakers include:

• Ann Cheney, Ph.D., a medical anthropologist and health services researcher with UCR School of Medicine
• Erica Felci, Coachella Valley Association of Governments Chief Operating Officer
• Jill Johnston, Ph.D., associate professor with USC Keck School of Medicine
• Will Porter, Ph.D., assistant professor in environmental sciences at UCR
• Ryan Sinclair, Ph.D., associate professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health
• Miguel Vazquez, health equity and urban regional planner for Riverside University Health System – Public Health

Patrick Evans, KESQ News Channel 3 meteorologist, and Janet Wilson, The Desert Sun senior environmental reporter, will serve as moderators.

Registration

Register to attend the free summit here.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, language translation services, and accommodations for individuals with physical challenges to access the summit will be provided.

Request for Proposals

To help ensure the summit and a new environmental health initiative will have a meaningful impact in the valley, the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board has allocated $1 million to be awarded over two years through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Organizations with viable programs and efforts to improve environmental health will soon be able to apply for funding. The launch of the RFP will be announced at healthydeserthealthyyou.com.

Sponsors

There are multiple opportunities to support the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit. Sponsorship packages range $40,000 to $1,000. To become a sponsor, go to healthydeserthealthyyou.com.

Confirmed sponsors so far include the Desert Care Network, Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Inland Empire Health Plan, Riverside County Supervisor’s Office – Fourth District, Palm Springs Disposal Service, and Desert Healthcare District and Foundation.

Planning the summit began nearly a year ago, as the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation staff brought together several partners to implement a community-wide response to an important health challenge.

The District and Foundation had commissioned three reports on the health aspects of the local environment. Those were followed in May with the District and Foundation’s data walk, which was attended by representatives from about 60 agencies. Approximately 80 people collectively contributed to identifying the specific health issues and concerns the District and Foundation aims to address through its environmental health initiative and the summit.

About the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation

The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare.