The United States is supposed to be a representative democracy. We elect decisionmakers to represent us and make decisions in our interest. But as state legislatures have become more responsive to a smaller, wealthier, and healthier subset of voters, they have restricted access to health care for the broader population and have failed to address many health and environmental challenges within the communities they govern. The most vulnerable populations have, consequently, experienced worsening public health disparities. At the federal level, environmental and public-health policies, and the science these policies depend on, are being dismantled at an unprecedented rate—exacerbating existing inequities and opening the door to even greater harm.
Join Kris Kington Barker as she speaks with guests Michael Latner, Ph.D., professor of Political Science at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and Kendall Voting Rights Fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists and Gretchen Goldman, Ph.D. and M.S., Research Director, Center for Science & Democracy with the Union of Concerned Scientists as they discuss findings from their new report on how an unhealthy democracy makes it more difficult for communities to advocate for policies that could improve their health and safety.
Broadcast date: 12/5/19
Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX and made possible through underwriting by Joan Gellert-Sargen.
