From birth, we seek intimate connections, bonds made possible by empathy — the ability to love and to share the feelings of others. Review scientific and historical examples of how empathy develops, why it is essential to our development, and how the modern world threatens it. Explore how compassion underlies the qualities that make society work and how difficulties related to empathy are key factors in social problems, mental illness, and even physical health. Learn how recent technological changes, child-rearing practices, education, and lifestyles affect a child's understanding of human contact and deep relationships, the foundation for empathy and a caring, healthy society. Take home practical ideas for combating the negative influences of modern life and fostering social change.

 

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What Does Toxic Stress Do to Children?
California surgeon general Dr. Nadine Burke Harris and Ezra Klein discuss how Covid-19 and trauma will shape the lives of young people.

 

Transcript 

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The Heckman Equation
Anyone looking for upstream solutions to the biggest problems facing America should look to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Professor James Heckman’s work to understand the great gains to be had by investing in the early and equal development of human potential.
https://heckmanequation.org/the-heckman-equation/

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Help establish healthy communities and environment

 

Take action to improve your environment (ecosystem)

Goal: to help you learn about the status of your "ecosystem"  and provide you tools and strategies to  engage in your social environment and health ecosystem in order to achieve  Optimal Wellness and healthy community

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My Ecosystem: Assessment and action plan 

 

My Health Ecosystem provides information about specific assets and related aspects of your physical and related environment. My Health Ecosystem enables you to get more information about how your environment is impacting your health and wellness. 

 

Learn about the environment in which you live and in particular identify resources and assists to achieve optimal well being. Use your zip code to learn about the quality of your environment.   

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Check the status of your county's health situation

 

AARP: Livability Index: Great Neighborhoods for All Ages

The Livability Index scores neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. for the services and amenities that impact your life the most. 

 

Example: You can get an overview of the healthy-ness of your community by checking its health ranking learning about the availability of health promoting spaces.

 

• Give your hospitals and other healthcare institutions a check up

• Diagnose the problems  gather data

• Demand transparency, accountability and public reporting by and  of stakeholders

 

The 500 Cities Project has a new interactive map that pulls health data on 27 chronic disease measures and breaks it down both by city and by neighborhood.

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Activities to improve social well-being: The Santa Monica Wellness Project 

Maternal Telehealth Access Project

• National Birth Equity Collaborative

• Georgia Health Policy Center

• R.A.C.E. for Equity

• Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere

• UNC School of Public Health Department of Maternal and Child Health  

• Jordan Institute for Families, UNC School of Social Work

• SHEPS Center for Health Services Research

• National Perinatal Association  

• National Area Health Education Center Organization (NAO)

• Meridian Communications

• The 4th Trimester Project  and the National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative

• Morehouse School of Medicine