As an AmeriCorps Member in the Department of Social Work and Community Health at RUSH University Medical Center, I help connect patients to various resources through our system’s Social Determinants of Health Screener. Through this experience, I was inspired to dive deeper into other factors that may impact someone’s health. A healthy environment is an important part of everyone’s health, yet there are disadvantaged communities that do not have access to resources that help produce a healthy environment like trees, clean water, and trash cans.
What is Environmental Inequity?
Environmental inequity is the heavy exposure of environmental hazards and the lack of access to environmental benefits in underserved populations. On the other hand, environmental equity means everyone having the same access to a healthy environment and protection from environmental hazards.
What Does Environmental Inequity Look Like?
- Residents living near polluting facilities
- Residents Lacking access to clean water
- Residents in some areas may not have the same access to life-saving resources in the event of a natural disaster as those in other areas
- Lack of green spaces in neighborhoods such as trees, grass, gardens, and parks.
Environmental Inequity in Chicago
In Chicago, factories and industrial manufacturing production plants are placed in predominantly Hispanic and Black communities. Air, water, and ground pollution from these production facilities impede on the health of the overall community both directly or indirectly.
Predominantly Black and Hispanic communities on the South and West Side of Chicago include:
- Roseland
- South Deering
- Little Village
- Austin
- East Garfield Park
- West Garfield Park
- and many more
Environmental Inequity and Health Care
Residents who are exposed to a high level of pollution could be at risk for but not limited to:
- Respiratory Illnesses
- Cancer
- Metabolic Disorders
- Psychosocial Stress
- Cardiovascular Diseases
In the United States Metropolitan areas, hospitals in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods, compared to hospitals in the least disadvantaged neighborhoods, had worse mortality scores, readmission scores, safety of care scores, patient experience of care scores, effectiveness of care scores, summary scores and overall star rating.
Access to quality health care in the neighborhoods that are affected by environmental inequity is limited. Also, the communities in Chicago that are experiencing environmental inequity may have been impacted by redlining, which results in disinvestment (including not investing in hospitals). Several interrelated factors are behind the persistent health disparities including the limited access to healthcare facilities in these neighborhoods. Many historically redlined areas lack adequate health care resources, making it challenging for residents to receive timely and effective care. Economic disadvantage also plays a significant role; lower property values and fewer job opportunities can hinder residents’ ability to afford necessary healthcare services. Also, identifying the root cause of a diagnosis can be more difficult because the symptoms of illness and environmental exposure often overlap. This can impact the trust patients have with their doctors.
At the same time, neighborhoods that are impacted by injustices like redlining also face issues like fewer trash cans to dispose of waste, less investment from the city for neighborhood upkeep, less green space, and fewer resources that contribute to having a healthy environment.
Environmental Justice (EJ) in Chicago
Developed in 2023, the City of Chicago Environmental Justice (EJ) Action Plan is the first of its kind for Chicago, representing the City’s commitment to environmental justice and equity by identifying specific goals and actions that the City will take to address the impacts from cumulative exposures in certain neighborhoods. Developed by the Chicago Department of Environment (DOE), the EJ Action Plan reflects data and input from nine City departments that make decisions affecting the environment, community organizations, local residents, and technical experts. One way this is accomplished is through the Chicago’s Cumulative Assessment which is a citywide project to provide data on how environmental burdens and other stressors vary in impact across the city.
The Environmental Justice – in Chicago and nationally – started as a grassroots movement, with communities and civil rights leaders bringing attention to unsafe conditions affecting low-income areas and communities of color. For many years, they advocated for justice and pushed for change. A 1987 report brought national attention to these issues and prompted responses from government agencies.
Since then, the following Executive Orders by President Clinton (1994) and Biden (2021) have been signed:
- Executive Order “Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations”
- Executive Order “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis”
Recent progress of the EJ Movement:
- 2020: CDPH (Chicago Department of Public Health) publishes Air Quality and Health Report, the first time the City attempts to characterize the combined impacts of air pollution, health and social stressors.
- 2021: City of Chicago launches the Environmental Equity Working Group to create a collaborative space for community representatives, environmental leaders, and local organizations to provide strategic counsel and advice on Chicago’s environmental initiatives.
- 2022: Chicago’s Office of Climate & Environmental Equity and Department of Public Health begin working in partnership with others on Chicago’s Cumulative Impact Assessment.
- 2023: City of Chicago executes a Voluntary Compliance Agreement with the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development to resolve a civil rights complaint alleging that, “City actions and policies shifted polluting activities from predominantly white neighborhoods to predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods that were known to the City to be overburdened by environmental hazards”.
- 2024: Initiated creation of the Community Air Monitor Governance Board which will provide input on air sensor placement, recommendations for data management and dissemination and community focused education.
Final Thoughts
As an AmeriCorps Member, I not only help people get connected to resources but also educate them about different organizations that are present in various communities. There are many community organizations that work together to make the environment safer for underserved communities. It is essential for people to understand that their environment matters, and there is progress being made to make sure everyone has access to resources. Even though there are positive changes, the impact of high pollution can have permanent side effects. Residents would still have to come to the hospital for treatment and endure the effects of an environment that was created for them.
Health equity is achieved when everyone has a chance to reach their full potential in health and wellness. Residents that are experiencing environmental inequities may not have a chance to move to another neighborhood or a say in which factories are placed in their communities. Looking forward, as more environmental resources like trash cans and green spaces become available, it will help build towards a healthier environment for everyone. Lastly, as communities continue to advocate for green resources and speak up about harmful projects that are planted in underserved communities, progress for a healthier environment will be made.
Rebecca Bryant is an AmeriCorps member in the 2025-2026 C4P RUSH cohort. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Northern Illinois University. She is passionate about providing reliable and obtainable social drivers of health resources. She is committed to deepening her understanding of multidimensional concepts like health equity, social justice, and the biopsychosocial framework.