EP96 Clean Water Rights with Jackie Young-Medcalf of THEA - a podcast by NYU School of Global Public Health

Learn about the Houston water crisis you probably didn’t know even existed, how climate change may begin to affect our water sources around the U.S., the incredible story of survival from Jackie Young-Medcalf’s exposure to toxic heavy metals and the actions we can all take to feel empowered in our water rights. Jackie is a champion for public health and a catalyst for change through collaboration. Without knowing it Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA) was formed the day Jackie discovered what no doctor could about her and her family’s health – that their water was a culprit of their illnesses. It was in her hydrology class when she discovered the toxic environment in the area was making them sick through their water source. Once she revealed what was causing the death of her animals, her father’s cancer, and her own battles with seizures, loss of motor function, and endometriosis, she dedicated her studies to the environmental issues at the root of the problem. In 2015 Jackie launched Texas Health and Environment Alliance, where she has been a driving force in leading collaborative efforts across government agencies holding polluters responsible – specifically Superfund Sites. Representing over a half million voices in Houston and surrounding areas, Jackie has influenced more than $115 million in clean-up efforts.

Kassandra Jones, NYU GPH alumna 19’, realized she had a knack for capturing the world around her through cinematic storytelling. After completing the Master of Public Health program at New York University, she now uses her knowledge base and strong interpersonal skills to highlight awareness around current and future global public health trends using media. Some of her freelance clients include Project Heal, THEA, Urban Indigenous Collective, Kitchen Connection, and the United Nations. Her commitment to pursuing her passion within communications and public health care has allowed her to work on culturally competent public health campaigns around environmental health, vaccine hesitancy, women's health equity, and food insecurity. Her goal is to use digital media to elicit social change and provide solutions.

Website:
txhea.org/community-health-survey/

Instagram:
@tx.hea

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/TXHEA/

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit publichealth.nyu.edu.

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