FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arnice Cottom, 202-777-3913
Students to lead campus events during National Public Health Week
Washington, D.C., Feb. 6, 2020 – "APHA has announced the winners of its new Student Champions for Climate Justice awards. Five U.S. college and university student groups were selected to create a campus experience during National Public Health Week, April 6-12.
Created by APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity, the awards support student work that raises awareness about the effects of climate change on health equity. Each group will receive $500 to carry out its activities, which range from films screenings and a photo installation to biking events and panel discussions.
“The commitment of these students to health equity and their passion for advancing climate solutions is impressive,” said Ivana Castellanos, APHA policy analyst. “Their work will spark conversation and inspire action for a climate-healthy future.”
The five awardees are:
Public Health Student Association: California State University-Los Angeles
Daniela Herrera, Diego Parra, Graciela Ramirez, Marylisa Salan, Jordan Williams
Students will host a weeklong environmental justice film festival on campus to highlight underrepresented perspectives in the fight against climate change.
Eco-Collective: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore
Toby Harris, Naadiya Hutchinson, Breanne Kincaid, Juliana Rico, Irena Gorski Steiner
Students will host Cycle for Justice, a weeklong campus experience aimed at educating the campus community and advancing a culture of equity-centered transportation, emphasizing biking. The week will include activities such as an interactive map, bike resource fair and a debate.
Health Science Society: Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia
Sidney Blackburn, Whitney Crofcheck, Kasey Fizer, Jay Salters, Michael Williams
Students will host events focused on climate change in the Appalachian Region, including a movie screening with a panel discussion and community forum, a climate change escape room experience and a game night.
Hui Ola Pono: University of Hawaii-Manoa, Honolulu
Anna Davide, Edra Ha, Swastika Maharjan, Cameron Woods, Christine Quiaoit
Students will host a fair for community organizations to share their involvement in climate justice. In addition, they will host a screening of an environmental justice film and a panel discussion on solutions for environmental justice.
Health Allies for Climate Action: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sarah Jordan, Devon Lara, Andrea Rhodes, Tasha Van Swol, Alexandra Villegas
Students will organize an art installation of photos guided by a prompt of “Climate Justice in New Mexico: Past, Present, Future.” During National Public Health Week, the students will organize the photos in a public display and host a panel with local climate leaders.
APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity applies a health equity lens to climate policy, engagement and action. The center leads public health efforts to inspire action on climate and health, advance policy and galvanize the field to address climate change. Its work seeks to justly address the needs of all communities, regardless of age, geography, race, income, gender or other factors.
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The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. We are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.