September is National Recovery Month, which raises awareness about mental illness and substance abuse disorders. It also provides the opportunity to talk about harm reduction, alternatives to incarceration, and the need for health insurance and federally-supported programs to expand access to treatment and housing. Cite the values of Redemption and Community.
Tag: health justice
Hurricane Katrina
On this day in 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi. The humanitarian disaster that followed laid bare racial and economic inequities and served as a precursor to the disparate impacts of recent natural disasters. Use the anniversary to discuss the need for equitable infrastructure spending and emergency assistance. Cite the values of Community and Economic Security.
National Senior Citizens Day
On this day in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring today National Senior Citizens Day. Use this hook to discuss how safety net programs are vital for older Americans. Use the values of economic opportunity and community.
Medicaid and Medicare
On this day in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson created both Medicaid and Medicare by signing into law an amendment to the Social Security Act. Investments in Medicaid to expand access to programs like Medicaid HCBS opens doors for people with disabilities to live near family, friends and contribute to our communities. Refer to the values of opportunity and community.
International Self-Care Day
Since 2011, July 24 has been celebrated as International Self-Care Day. Self-care is imperative for healthier lifestyles and should be integrated into families, communities, organizations, and society. Take this time to invest in the wellness of your mind, body, and soul.
Tuskegee Syphilis Study
On this day in 1972, the Washington Star broke the story of the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study conducted on 600 African-American sharecroppers. The exposure led to fundamental changes in medical research. Use this anniversary to underscore the importance of media coverage about people living in poverty and how systemic racism impacts healthcare outcomes in Black and brown communities. Cite the values of equity and community.
Griswold v. Connecticut
On this day in 1965, the Supreme Court upheld the “right of marital privacy” in the case of Griswold v. Connecticut, which ensured access to contraception. The case provided precedent for the court to legalize abortion in the Roe v. Wade case eight years later. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overrule Roe also raised concern about how the right to privacy might be further threatened in other landmark decisions. When discussing the intersecting harms of the political attacks on reproductive freedom, remember to advance narratives of full rights and justice for everyone, especially those living in poverty and Black, brown, and Indigenous communities. Cite the values of opportunity and equity.
Birthday of Edward Verne Roberts
Today is the birthday of Edward Verne Roberts, who was a pioneering advocate for people with disabilities. Many consider him the “father of independent living.” Use the anniversary to discuss how public benefits help people with disabilities. Use the values of Equality and Economic Mobility.
Right to Privacy: Roe v. Wade
On this day in 1973, the Supreme Court upheld the “right to privacy” in the case of Roe v. Wade, protecting the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion nationwide. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn decades of precedent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization significantly threatens reproductive justice in numerous states. The decision also galvanized communities and voters to take action and pass new protections upholding people’s right to access safe abortions. When talking about this anniversary, cite the values of opportunity, voice, and equity.
Legalization of Prohibition
On this day in 1919, Prohibition was legalized with the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. Today, we view this period as a wasteful, punitive and ill-conceived intrusion on the lives of Americans. This era is often noted in conversations about the need for criminal justice reform and more humane drug policies that center equity and emphasize harm reduction. Use this anniversary to discuss how far our nation has come in upholding the values of Redemption and Community.
