For Immediate Release
May 8, 2017
Media Contacts:
Alexis Stephens (PolicyLink)
AStephens@policylink.org
212-629-9570 x 216
Max Anderson (Open Buffalo)
max@openbuffalo.org
716-243-8777 x 103
Released Today: Health Equity and the Path to Inclusive Prosperity in Buffalo
New Profile of Buffalo Highlights Dramatic Inequities and Opportunities to Reverse Them
BUFFALO, NY — Community-based organizations and advocacy groups in Buffalo have partnered with national research institute PolicyLink to develop a groundbreaking new profile of the city. Advancing Health Equity and Inclusive Growth in Buffalo, released today, highlights the persistent inequities in income, wealth, health, and opportunity in Buffalo. The profile and an accompanying policy brief, Health Equity: The Path to Inclusive Prosperity in Buffalo, were developed by PolicyLink and the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) at USC, in partnership with Open Buffalo, and with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“While our research puts a spotlight on the health disparities across Buffalo, the city is well positioned to address these challenges head-on,” said Tracey Ross, Associate Director of the All-In Cities Initiative at PolicyLink. “The city is home to world-class health institutions as well as diligent community based organizations committed to ensuring one's ZIP code does not limit their life outcomes.”
The new report underscores that while Buffalo is on the brink of a renaissance spurned by millions of public and private investments, if new investments do not address persistent racial and economic inequities, the city’s long-term economic future is at risk. The data analysis shows that increased equity and inclusion among communities of color in Buffalo would have boosted the region’s economy by $4.3 billion in 2014 – a nearly 8 percent increase.
Sam Magavern, executive director of the Partnership for the Public Good, said, “Inequality is bad for our health. PolicyLink's new report is filled with concrete steps we can take to make Buffalo more equitable and healthy, building on assets we already possess.”
Other key findings in the profile include:
Upon the unveiling of this new research, Franchelle Hart, executive director of Open Buffalo said, “We firmly believe that our city possesses the hearts and minds to overcome our complex legacy of inequity in employment, housing, and health. We’re committed to being a part of that change at the neighborhood level.”
Proposed solutions to these persistent problems include:
A public presentation (media opportunity) and panel discussion will mark the release of this research. The event will begin today at 12pm at the Merriweather Library (1324 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo). Attendees will hear from, and interact with, the following local officials and experts:
What: PolicyLink research presentation and panel discussion
When: Monday, May 8, 12 pm
Where: Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo
Access this original research online here:
Buffalo Profile: Advancing Health Equity and Inclusive Growth in Buffalo
Policy Brief: Health Equity: The Path to Inclusive Prosperity in Buffalo
About PolicyLink
PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works®. For more information, visit PolicyLink.org.
About Open Buffalo
Open Buffalo is a Community Movement for Social and Economic Justice.
It is a civic initiative to make major, long-term improvements in justice and equity in the City of Buffalo. It is an unprecedented collaboration among a diverse group of partners and allies. For more information, visit OpenBuffalo.org.
For more media inquiries, please contact Alexis Stephens at PolicyLink (AStephens@policylink.org, 212-629-9570 x 216) or Max Anderson at Open Buffalo (max@openbuffalo.org, 716-243-8777 x 103).
###