STIGMA AND THE FIRST RESPONDER
First responders—police officers, firefighters, search and rescue crews, ambulance personnel—experience stress at work that can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions or lead to new ones. One-third of first responders have fears about seeking psychological services, feeling judged by coworkers or supervisors, or believing that loss of confidentiality around such care may negatively impact their careers. Responders’ delay in seeking mental health care is not only linked to distress and impairment, but also productivity loss, early retirement, substance use, divorce, and increased rates of suicide.
THE COLD TRUTH
Temperature control in low-income housing affects health. Space heaters, stoves, and ovens are used to heat poorly insulated apartments, contributing to/causing the majority of fires, fire-related deaths, and carbon monoxide poisoning. These secondary heating devices also drive up energy costs.
When the poor are cold and worry about not being able to pay their home energy bills, stress increases, and chronic illnesses worsen. Energy efficiency interventions may be the next step toward healthier homes and lives.
DON’T FORGET TO NOT SMOKE
One and a half million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Cigarette smoking was associated with far more cancer cases and deaths than any other single risk, accounting for nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths. Policies proven to reduce smoking include taxation (powerful effect), smoke-free laws, assistance with smoking cessation (underused by low-income folks), media campaigns, and marketing bans. Yet not a single state has fully implemented the full set of the CDC’s recommended tobacco-control measures that include these policies.
|