Healthy Desert Healthy You

In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean sits down with Aydee Palomino, the Environmental Justice Campaign Manager at Alianza Coachella Valley. They discuss critical issues surrounding environmental justice in the Coachella Valley, particularly focusing on access to clean water, air, and essential services for underserved communities. Aydee shares insights about the Trails Network plan, which aims to connect residents with improved mobility and recreational opportunities while addressing environmental health challenges. Together, they highlight the importance of community engagement and advocacy in ensuring that local voices are heard and represented in decision-making processes. With...

In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean welcomes Carole Rogers, President of the Desert Healthcare District's Board of Directors and a dedicated nurse for over 50 years. Carole shares her journey from a family of healthcare professionals to becoming a passionate advocate for community health in the Coachella Valley. With a wealth of experience, she discusses key accomplishments of the Desert Healthcare District, including the development of community health initiatives and infrastructure enhancements like the CV Link trail. Carole emphasizes the critical importance of understanding social determinants of health, her commitment to addressing homelessness...

Indio City Councilmember Oscar Ortiz joins Will Dean on this week's Healthy Desert, Healthy You podcast to elucidate the innovative measures being implemented to combat environmental challenges within the region. A prominent focus of their discourse is the city's enhanced turf removal program, which incentivizes residents to replace water-intensive grass with native plants, thereby facilitating both urban greening and a reduction in local temperatures. Ortiz articulates the importance of fostering sustainable landscaping practices that prioritize ecological balance and the preservation of water resources. Furthermore, he addresses the pressing necessity for collective action in the face of climate change and...

In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean engages in a compelling discussion with Dr. Jenna LeComte-Hinely, CEO of HARC (Health Assessment and Research for Communities). Discover how Dr. LeComte-Hinely and her team have turned data into actionable insights to improve the health and quality of life in the Coachella Valley region. Delve into the intricacies of HARC's triennial community health survey, which gathers data requested by community members, offering invaluable insights into local health challenges, especially environmental health concerns like air quality and disaster preparedness. This episode unpacks the significant impact of environmental...

A profound exploration of the intricate relationship between environmental health and community well-being unfolds during the discourse between Will Dean and Dr. Ann Cheney, a distinguished medical anthropologist affiliated with the University of California-Riverside. The conversation delves into the pressing environmental health issues faced by residents of the Eastern Coachella Valley, particularly focusing on the alarming prevalence of childhood asthma within this vulnerable population. Dr. Cheney elucidates her methodology as a medical anthropologist, emphasizing the importance of immersing oneself in the community to cultivate trust and effectively address health disparities. Through participatory research, her team has identified critical factors...

The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation engages in a vital discourse on the mission and operations of the Healthcare District, as articulated by Will Dean and Chris Christensen. This episode elucidates the significant role of the Healthcare District as a funding entity rather than a hospital operator, clarifying a common misconception among community members. Established in 1948, the District has evolved to support healthcare access through a robust grant funding program, contributing over $100 million since its inception as a funding organization in 1997. The conversation further highlights the District's innovative initiatives, including mobile medical clinics that bring essential healthcare services directly...