

Disparities and Social Determinants of Health
Aug 6, 2020
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician and activist renowned for her role in the Flint water crisis, shares insights on the profound impact of social determinants of health. She discusses how poverty and racism exacerbate environmental challenges, affecting child development. Mona highlights innovative strategies for mitigating lead exposure and the importance of long-term policy commitments. She emphasizes rebuilding trust within communities and advocates for literacy as a cornerstone of recovery, urging collective civic responsibility for future generations.
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From Reassurance To Action
- Mona Hanna-Attisha recounts patients asking if their water was safe and her initial disbelief that lead could contaminate Flint's water.
- She shifted from reassurance to action after seeing community concerns and evidence of exposure.
Health Extends Beyond Clinical Care
- Medicine contributes only about 10–20% of health outcomes, so social factors largely determine child health.
- Addressing lead required a broad pediatric public health approach beyond clinical care.
Focus On Secondary Prevention Now
- When primary prevention fails, prioritize secondary prevention and supportive interventions to reduce harm.
- Use science on toxic stress, trauma, and resilience to guide recovery actions for children.