Communities of color and low-wealth populations are currently struggling through a syndemic, multiple pandemics simultaneously- structural racism, climate change, environmental injustice, and SARS-COV-2. The differential impacts of this syndemic can be linked to the history of systemic racism, segregation, and structural poverty in the United States. In this presentation, Dr. Wilson will discuss his efforts to advance environmental justice during the syndemic in communities across the country. He will talk about frameworks, solutions, best practices and lessons learned that can help frontline and fenceline environmental justice communities fight back during the syndemic. He will also discuss the role of science particularly community science in assisting impacted residents address environmental determinants of health during the syndemic.

Fighting for Environmental Justice During a Syndemic: What is the Role of Science?