Why Health is an Essential Component of Environmental Work

Urban environmentalism is fundamentally a pursuit of health, both for the environment and the people who live in it. Yet, environmental risk factors and their impacts on health are unevenly distributed, an issue that can often be traced back to historical disinvestment and urban planning decisions. The example that immediately comes to mind for many is the Flint Water Crisis. The city’s decision to switch the municipal water supply system exposed thousands to dangerous levels of lead, resulting in disease, low birth weights, and lifelong lead exposure for children that disproportionally impacted Black residents. But this is a pattern that can be seen across cities. In Houston, Texas, for example, solid waste sites were placed in predominantly African American neighborhoods and increased risks of water contamination, pollution, and disease.

It is important policymakers account for this context and focus environmental efforts where the impacts are most severe—where health outcomes are worst. By prioritizing these areas, policymakers can address histories of harm and ensure that environmental justice and public health progress together. This is increasingly important as cities expand, with the United Nations estimating that two-thirds of the global population will reside in urban settings by 2050.

In this article, we highlight examples of health-centered environmental initiatives from New York City and Boston.

Greening Initiatives in the Bronx, New York

The Bronx in New York City is rooted in a history of environmental racism and has faced health inequities for decades. The borough is home to a disproportionate number of industrial facilities and therefore subject to an unequal emissions burden from a high volume of delivery truck traffic, which actively increase air pollution and other environmental hazards. 

A study by the New York City Department of Health found that, as a result, the Bronx had the highest rate of asthma emergency department visits among all of New York City’s boroughs. Furthermore, one neighborhood within the borough, Mott Haven, has been nicknamed "Asthma Alley" due to its alarmingly high rates of respiratory illnesses. 

The asthma crisis in Mott Haven can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the neighborhood's proximity to major highways, industrial facilities, and waste transfer stations. The area is exposed to high levels of air pollutants, ranging from particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide to diesel exhaust, all of which have been linked to the development and exacerbation of respiratory conditions. The burden of air pollution is also disproportionately placed on BIPOC communities. The borough’s predominantly Hispanic or Black residents have rates of asthma hospitalization five times the national average, and at rates 21 times higher than other NYC neighborhoods. Another study found that Latino/a Americans are, on average, exposed to 63 percent more air pollution than they create, and that Black Americans are exposed to 56 percent more. This health crisis not only impacts the day-to-day well-being of residents but also has far reaching consequences for the community as a whole. Children with asthma, for example, are more likely to miss school and experience learning difficulties, while adults may struggle with work absenteeism and increased healthcare costs. Additionally, air pollution exacerbates other illnesses, such as heart disease and COVID-19. 

Various Bronx-based organizations have been working to address the borough's environmental crisis, highlighting the importance of considering health outcomes when designing and implementing environmental mitigation strategies. They demonstrate the potential for positive change when health is placed at the forefront of decision-making processes.

One of these organizations is South Bronx Unite, whose mission focuses on advocating for environmental justice and addressing the disproportionate burden of air pollution faced by South Bronx residents. Their Clean Air Program deployed air pollution monitors throughout the Mott Havens and Port Morris neighborhoods in order to quantify pollution levels, allowing them to collect data that can then be used to advocate for further solutions. The program also aims to increase green space equity. Green space has been linked with reducing pollution from particulate matter due to its ability to absorb and filter air pollutants. In addition to creating community gardens and parks, South Bronx Unite is working on the Mott Haven-Port Morris Waterfront Plan in order to give the residents more waterfront and green space access. 

Simultaneously, Sustainable South Bronx (SSBx) is training workers to work in green careers, creating a skilled workforce that can contribute to the development of sustainable projects in the area. Many program participants go on to work on local projects that benefit the community of South Bronx. By providing opportunities for residents to secure green careers, SSBx not only addresses unemployment but also fosters a sense of empowerment and community ownership in the fight for environmental justice.

The Enduring Health Impacts of Urban Renewal in Chinatown, Boston 

The impacts of rising temperatures in Boston, Massachusetts are not distributed equally across the city. Historically underserved communities tend to have more concrete, asphalt, and infrastructure, feeding what is known as the urban heat island effect. This is particularly true in Chinatown, which underwent several urban renewal efforts in the late 19th century aimed at expanding modernization and development. A 2021 report from the city of Boston documented the consequences of those past planning decisions and found that Chinatown experiences higher heat for longer periods of time than other neighborhoods. For example, high-heat conditions lasted 37 hours in Chinatown compared to 25 hours in West Roxbury. Afternoon temperatures in Chinatown often climb to 104-107°F, with nighttime temperatures occasionally remaining over 90°F. On the other hand, West Roxbury climbed to a maximum of 95°F, cooling down overnight to 80°F. Chinatown developers originally intended to expand buildings, such as the Tufts University Medical Center, and roads, including the I-93 highway, Massachusetts Turnpike, and Surface Road. This project prioritized proximity to highways and connecting roads over preserving existing homes, businesses, and green spaces—which only exacerbates the urban heat island effect.

In 2024, Boston earned a perfect score on the Trust for Public Land for ensuring that 100 percent of residents are within a 10-minute walk from the park. However, the results also showed that lower-income neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, have 19 percent less green space than high-income neighborhoods with only 10 percent tree canopy. Additional data from the Boston Parks and Recreation Department indicates Chinatown residents having 2.17 acres of open space per 1,000 residents as compared to 7.59 acres per 1,000 residents citywide. Research shows a clear correlation between green space quality and health benefits, including improvements to allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular health, and psychological wellbeing. However, the distribution of green space remains largely unequal. With Chinatown having minimal green space in comparison to surrounding areas, it is understandable why Chinatown is more susceptible to urban heat.  

In addition to disproportionate heat exposure, Chinatown also experiences poor air quality from nearby traffic emissions. Lydia Lowe, current director of the Chinatown Land Trust, emphasized that “Chinatown…is a series of encroachments that have led to a polluted environment.” A study from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports this statement, finding that Chinatown has the highest fine particulate matter in the state of Massachusetts. Fine particulate has a range of detrimental health impacts, from asthma to high blood pressure, a correlation that Lowe had seen amongst many Chinatown residents.

The city of Boston has been exploring ways to address unequal greening and pollution in Chinatown using developed spaces. Boston’s Urban Forest Plan, enacted by Mayor Michelle Wu, aims to initiate and prepare for near- and long-term impacts of climate change, especially in historically disinvested neighborhoods, by incorporating tree coverage into public spaces throughout the city. This natural infrastructure serves to improve air quality while lowering the temperature of homes and buildings and reducing associated energy costs. While this plan focuses on providing immediate benefits to the physical and mental health of Chinatown’s residents, the spillover benefits also account for mitigation of pest and disease infestation, as climate change places increasing pressure on native plant species. 

The approach seen in both examples—one that accounts for historical harm and health outcomes—not only addresses the issue at the source but also promotes health equity and justice. Without this focus, policymakers risk addressing the wrong areas, perpetuating existing inequalities, and failing to protect the most vulnerable communities. A health-centered approach ensures that environmental improvements yield tangible health benefits for those who need them most, creating a more just and equitable urban future.