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Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition - DEHC

Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition - DEHC. Environmental Policy & Planning Group MIT Dept. of Urban Studies & Planning March 10, 2009. Dorchester. Boston’s largest & oldest neighborhood Approx. 100,000 residents in 6 square miles If separate city, 5 th largest in MA

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Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition - DEHC

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  1. Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition - DEHC Environmental Policy & Planning Group MIT Dept. of Urban Studies & Planning March 10, 2009

  2. Dorchester • Boston’s largest & oldest neighborhood • Approx. 100,000 residents in 6 square miles • If separate city, 5th largest in MA • Cambridge: 101,000 residents in 7 sq. miles • Diverse population - includes Vietnamese, Afro-Caribbean, Cape Verdean • Health disparities

  3. Dorchester’s Health Disparities • Obesity • Asthma • Diabetes • Violence

  4. Health Disparities • Health disparities in minority neighborhoods can be, in part, attributed to such factors as relatively poor access to health care, lower-quality outdoor and indoor environments, inadequate health education, and fewer opportunities for safe recreation. http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/hotc

  5. DEHC – About Us • Community-led network of individuals, businesses, non-profit institutions • Promotes the environmental, social and economic benefits of living sustainably • In existence since 2003

  6. DEHC – About Us • Partner mix: • local health centers • Main Street organizations • elected officials • environmental non-profits • civic groups

  7. What We Do • Advocate for environmental justice • Educate about urban environmental health issues • Campaigns • air quality: Dorchester’s high asthma rate • green space: safe & clean recreation • youth & families: climate change, energy

  8. DEHC – What We Do • Transforming Dorchester – make it a healthier place to live, work, play & learn, through  • improved green resources • air pollution awareness • biking and walking advocacy and • encouraging active living

  9. Air Quality • Improve Public Transit • Ashmont station & t.o.d. project • Walking/Biking • Dorchester Avenue Task Force • DotBike

  10. Air Quality • Particulates & ozone awareness • Banners: locations in Codman Square & Bowdoin Street inform public about EnviroFlash daily air quality • Diesel coalition: retrofit commercial vehicle fleets

  11. Green Space • Vacant lots • Community-based planning • Planting neighborhood trees • Boston Urban Forest Coalition • Park friends groups • Ronan Park, Elmhurst Street

  12. Green Space • Dorchester Shoreline improvements • Neponset River restoration/dams removal • Dorchester beaches: summer festival

  13. Youth & Families • Active Living & Food Justice advocacy • Safe & healthy parks • Farmers markets/community gardens • Walk/Bike: crosswalks, paving, bike lanes

  14. Youth & Families • Energy event Saturday March 14th – free energy-saving goodies, weatherization tips & training • Green businesses – bike friendly • Green jobs • Elmhurst Street youth park stewardship

  15. Contact DEHC • DEHC is a volunteer-based organization - we always need new energy! Our online events calendar has ways to get involved, or get in touch directly - our office address is 1452 Dorchester Avenue, 4th floor, Dorchester, MA 02122 (Fields Corner T stop)

  16. Phone: 617-474-1478 • Email: dorchesterenviro@gmail.com • Website: www.dehc.org

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