healthy communities are the basis of a healthy city
It would be unwise to say with confidence that the pandemic will soon be behind us. But we should begin to think in wider terms. What have we learned about our public health system? What can we do differently, both for the next pandemic and for other health issues? How can the District leverage the hard-fought experience that we have gained going forward? It would be a mistake to not build on the infrastructure that we have developed to attack other public health concerns.
My Public Health Platform in Brief:
Better leverage schools and libraries to deliver public health, social, other government services.
Join the ongoing effort to reduce Black maternal and infant mortality.
Lobby for expanding bike lanes, filling in gaps in our public transit system, and investing in walkability is key to combatting climate change and obesity.
Provide schools with sufficient funding to serve the full range of student health needs.
Ensure our response to violence and concerns about public safety is trauma-informed.
Continuing and expanding efforts to divert mental health calls to social workers.
a plAN FOR BUILDING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
As your Councilmember, I will:
Better leverage schools and libraries to deliver public health, social, other government services. Schools and libraries are community anchors at the heart of our neighborhoods. We need to explore opportunities to embrace their full potential.
Join the ongoing effort to reduce Black maternal and infant mortality, which is higher in DC than any other state. There are some incredible organizations in the District, like Mamatoto Village, focusing on these issues right now. The District should explore creative ways of partnering with these groups and design interventions to complement existing efforts.
Lobby for expanding bike lanes, filling in gaps in our public transit system, and investing in walkability is key to combatting climate change and obesity. Cars aren’t going anywhere, but we can take steps to promote alternative, cleaner forms of transportation by improving and expanding access to public transit, installing bike lanes, and making the neighborhoods more walkable. People will not reduce the number of car trips they take unless and until the alternatives are viable and attractive. A bus that only comes once or twice an hour isn’t enough, nor is a bike lane on a busy road marked by paint or a road without any sidewalks. Making alternatives to driving more attractive will not only help DC reach its climate goals, it will also help us become healthier. Urbanites already move more on average than other Americans. Increasing transit and bike trips, improving trails, and promoting walkability as a core design value can have a meaningful impact on obesity rates.
Provide schools with sufficient funding to serve the full range of student health needs. A successful school is a learning community where children are richly supported. Although we should not lower our expectations, it is impractical to expect schools to adequately meet student needs when the District fails to provide sufficient funding to make possible. At a minimum, the Council must ensure that school-based mental health services reach all students.
Ensure our response to violence is trauma-informed. Violence is corrosive. Research has shown definitively how extensively exposure to violence can damage a child’s development, academic performance, and trajectory in life.
Continuing and expanding efforts to divert mental health calls to social workers. According to research from the National Association of State Mental Health program Directors, people experiencing a mental health crisis comprise a quarter of the people shot by police. Although police need to be trained in and encouraged to use de-escalation techniques, social workers are better equipped to respond to 911 calls regarding individuals behaving erratically.
Ben’s DC Council testimony regarding making the COVID vaccine a required vaccination for DC students
Ben discusses resolution calling for a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for teachers and school staff
Ben’s resolution urging the Council to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required school vaccinations