Keywords
environmental health, health equity, African American
Document Type
Commentaries
Abstract
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of freezing temperatures from a snowstorm, the city of Jackson, MS faced the potential demise of its drinking water infrastructure. Triggered by the freezing of water pipes in the city and a subsequent fire at a local water treatment facility, the lack of clean, accessible water made daily tasks more difficult for the city’s older adult population who had limited mobility, income, and ability to relocate. This commentary examines the effects of ongoing water infrastructure issues in Jackson, MS and its effect on aging in place. Considerations for a social ecological approach to making Jackson, MS a more age friendly city are provided. Encouraging healthy aging by optimizing resources to improve the water infrastructure, safety, and inclusion of older people in the community has long-lasting benefits for the citizens of Jackson, MS.
Recommended Citation
Jones, A. W.,
&
Gardner, A. J.
(2024). The Jackson Water Crisis across the Lifespan: Living and Dying for Clean Water.
Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, 4(2), 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2996-6833.1078
Included in
Emergency and Disaster Management Commons, Public Health Commons, Social Justice Commons