I’ve asked readers before: what do you think of when you picture your ideal community? Plenty of local affordable recreational opportunities for families? A place where everyone is housed? One where everyone never has to go hungry? One with a welcoming business climate and strong economy? One that contains a high performing school district? A place where there is no disparity in academic achievement, housing security and stability or overall health due to ethnicity, income or other circumstances?
All of these things and more contribute to a community that we’d describe as healthy, and there are many things that contribute to the health of a community that go beyond just medical care, which is what many think of when they see the word “healthy” or “health.”
Next week is Bi-National Health Week and we have had a number of local individuals working hard to ensure that this countywide celebration has significant events here in South County. They have been instrumental in securing a very special conference next Thursday, 8:30am-4:30pm, here in South County at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center which will teach people what it takes to build a healthy community. It will spotlight national experts on how cities and school districts and other civic organizations, even if they have absolutely nothing to do with medical care, can make their communities healthier through changes in civic policies and practices. To learn more about the event call (408) 847-4610.
A community doesn’t have a strong business climate or strong economy with a homeless rate that is highest per capita in the county, with a high number of families that need food and other basics, with few recreational opportunities for its citizens. One doesn’t have a high performing school district simply by having students sit in a classroom for 110 minutes, but also when their other safety, emotional and social needs are met.
So, what does it take? What kinds of policies and changes in practices are they talking about? Gilroy Unified School District is off to a good start with the establishment of its federally mandated Wellness Policy, which it is in the process of implementing, including ensuring that healthy foods and drinks are available to young people. It has more opportunities in the (also federally mandated) school safety plans each school must produce and in strategic planning.
The national trend toward smoke-free environments is another example. Having grown up in a house with a smoker and susceptible to respiratory infections throughout my childhood, and having tried smoking myself in college, I loathe cigarette smoke as much as excessive drinking. However, seeing my dad repeatedly try and fail to quit the smoking that killed him, I am sympathetic to how difficult it is to quit.
Because of the data that shows the hugely negative impacts of second-hand smoke on non-smokers, I support anti-smoking measures that limit the exposure of non-smokers to cigarette smoke. Because smokers’ senses have been damaged by their sucking on cancer sticks, they have no idea how much they reek of stinky cigarette smoke. (However, I am fully supportive of their right to smoke if they can devise a way for the smoke to go right back into their own polluted lungs).
These are just two obvious examples. Housing policies, even community planning that determines the layout of streets are others. For example, courts that provide privacy and quiet to homeowners are barriers to a walkable community, whereas blocks arranged in a grid are conducive to walking. The inability of students to be able to walk to school impacts the health of the community in a variety of ways: the excessive emissions from idling, gas guzzling SUVs impact our air, and children don’t have the opportunity to exercise in this age of P.E.-deprived school days.
I hope city planners, including streets and traffic personnel, recreation departments, school district representatives, even police departments, attend this important conference. I checked and as of Wednesday, a couple of people from the City of Morgan Hill and GUSD are registered, but no one from the City of Gilroy or Morgan Hill Unified School District has signed up to attend. I hope they take advantage of this very special opportunity brought right to their doorstep.
On another note: a Red Phone caller of the Friday Morgan Hill Times reported her daughter’s frightening experience at Safeway’s discount gas station. I’ve witnessed two such incidences and had a frightening experience of my own. I don’t go there anymore. The caller’s daughter and myself can’t be the only ones. I encourage everyone with such experiences to report, write to the paper so the proprietor will pay attention to this scary problem.
Columnist Dina Campeau is a wife, mother of two teens and a resident of Morgan Hill. Her work for the last seven years has focused on affordable housing and homeless issues in Santa Clara County. Her column is published every Friday. Reach her at dc******@*****er.net.
