Soc 1B Response Paper #3

Our Health: Mapping Local Community Assets

Due March 23rd

According to the film Unnatural Causeswell-being is not just a matter of making good choices and having access to quality care. Our health outcomes are inextricably linked - for better and worse - to the social conditions that surround and shape our lives. In other words, the social and economic inequalities in society are directly correlated with the health inequalities. By demonstrating that health inequities affect all of us, the film encourages us to link social health to economic and social policies.

For your third response paper you will look at how “healthy” the community that you live, work, and go to school in is. You will identify the sources of stress and support in your life and think about ways you might increase their level of power and control.

(1)To begin with, fill in the chart on the back of this page. Look at each category and identify in what ways it is a stress or a resource in your life. The think about the categories for your whole community.

(2)Write a 2-3 page essay addressing the following questions related to your chart:

  1. What patterns do you observe? How do you feel about this snapshot of your life or community?
  2. Pick a few of the existing resources and ask, what makes the existence of these resources possible? What might threaten them? How can they be sustained or further developed? What policies and/ or political action might strengthen and protect them?
  3. Pick a few stressors and health threats to discuss. Brainstormideas for how each might be turned into a resource, including how youmight use existing resources in other areas to accomplish this. What challenges might surface? Consider some of the recommendations Dr. Troutman makes in the film:
  4. Encourage economic development in low-income neighborhoods
  5. Use zoning laws to restrict fast-food outlets and encourage grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods
  6. Improve routes and reliability of public transportation
  7. Create more equitable school financing formulas
  8. Construct quality low-cost housing in integrated, mixed income neighborhoods
  9. Lastly, explain how the community organization you are working for and the work you do can be seen as an existing resource for the community. In what ways does your organization help to improve the social conditions of the community and create better health overall.

RESOURCES STRESSORS

Food Access and Availability

Quality Education

Good Transportation / Planning

Affordable Housing

Good Jobs & Work Opportunities

Business Investment and Development

Income and Wealth

Social Supports

Public Safety

Green Spaces

Recreational Opportunities