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- Title
MISSISSIPPI HEAD START MOTHERS: AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CASE STUDY.
- Authors
Whitehead, LaToria; Warren, Rueben C.; Johnson, Glenn S.; Lopez, Francesca M.
- Abstract
Minimal progress has been made in understanding the relationships between the environment and health. However, increasing evidence suggests that there is a disproportionate burden of environmental exposures among Black, Hispanic, Native Americans and low-income groups of all racial and ethnic backgrounds that may result in health disparities. The Environmental Justice Framework assists in understanding this study which focuses on the association between adverse living conditions of Head Start mothers and their environmental awareness. Children are the most vulnerable population impacted by negative health risks from early and continual life exposures to environmental contamination. The Head Start program has effectively mitigated many of the effects of poverty by providing low-income children with life skills for a healthy and productive life. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the demographic factors of Head Start mothers and their environmental awareness. Data from this analysis were taken from a 1996, 77-item survey instrument. The survey was designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, of Head Start families related to the environment and environmental health. The survey was distributed in 20 counties, to 804 Head Start households that were selected at random out of a total of 5000 households enrolled in the Mississippi Action for Progress Head Start (M.A.P.) program. The number of parents who responded was 763 out of 804 (95% response rate) female-headed households, who were participants of the Mississippi Action for Progress Head Start Program. Although race and age were important factors influencing the environmental awareness of the mothers, the educational level of the mother was not. These findings suggest the need for environmental health enrichment programs for Head Start mothers, children and staff. Study results should be utilized for follow-up research to empower Head Start mothers, particularly Black mothers to increase their political involvement in health and environmental related activities.
- Subjects
MISSISSIPPI; ENVIRONMENTAL justice; CASE studies; PUBLIC health; HEALTH of poor people; HEALTH risk assessment
- Publication
Race, Gender & Class, 2008, Vol 15, Issue 1/2, p246
- ISSN
1082-8354
- Publication type
Article