Genetic Counseling should not be considered a luxury: Here’s why
Written by: Luciana Naveda
Since 1947, genetic counseling has been developing, offering families genetic information regarding their health. Over the years, genetic counseling has become a resource that many are being introduced to, yet not many know what it is or how it can help us. Genetic counseling provides an individual with a health professional counselor. They collect your familial health background to determine if there might be any genetic diseases that could be passed on…
Redlining's Persistent Impact: The Effects on Black Maternal Health
Written By: Sunsaara Kaur Shergill
When a flood recedes, the damage remains, sometimes for generations. This is true for redlining; though the practice ended decades ago, the damage persists. While the discriminatory aspects of redlining are well-known…
Environmental Exposures and Maternal and Child Health: A Call to Action
Written by: Nora Lopez
Children who grow up in Richmond have higher asthma hospitalization rates than children in other communities in the county (Farnitano, 2018). The aftermath of the 2012 Chevron refinery explosion, just a few miles from my home in Richmond, left my brother hospitalized due to an asthma attack. At that moment…
Understanding Adverse Child Experiences
Written by: Alexandra Orellana
Comprehensive and developmental early childhood education programs provide a plethora of opportunities and support for children when they reach adult age. It is said that children who participated in these programs had “a lower risk for heart disease and associated risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and high cholesterol” (Campbell, 2014). In order to understand…
Intersectionality of Homelessness in San Francisco: Challenges, Progress, and Future Solutions
Written by: Bishop Hansen
Growing up in San Francisco, a top city in the U.S. for the homeless population, many people see homelessness as a regular occurrence. If we were to stop and think of the conditions houseless people live in, with no one to turn to but drugs and alcohol, this would not be normal. As one of the wealthiest cities in the world, the glaring contrasts and inequalities are hard to ignore. As the population of homeless individuals and families increases…
Breaking Barriers: California’s Medi-Cal Expansion to Undocumented Residents
Written by: Cynthia Solorio
On January 1st, 2024, California took a step forward in history as the first state in the US to expand Medi-Cal to all undocumented individuals. This landmark expansion exemplifies California's commitment to fostering a sense of inclusivity and also acknowledges the right to healthcare for all, regardless of immigration status.
California has long been working towards providing healthcare for all its constituents, with Governor Jerry Brown's initial Medi-Cal expansion…