This thought-provoking presentation will be centered at the intersection of transportation, health and equity. WIthin that context, it will highlight the importance of justice and fairness in the eradication of health inequities, and creation of more safe, healthy and livable communities for all present and future generations—from the urban core to the rural countryside. In an attempt to encourage a collective understanding of the underlying or root causes of inequalities and oppression within our society, this presentation will include candid discussions on the impact of historical and contemporary injustices on low-income and communities of color, as well as a discussion on the importance of justice and fairness within the procedures, processes and distribution of resources by institutions or systems. In answering why equity matters, this presentation will highlight how our collective goal of health equity has been and remains challenged by issues ranging from systemic racism to voter suppression to residential redlining and segregation to gentrification to crime and to implicit bias, police harassment and use of force. The presentation will end by encouraging and challenging everyone to act on a select number of key strategies to move ALL communities forward together.
