Climate Curve

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

YMHEC centers youth from environmental justice communities—primarily low-income Black, Latinx, and immigrant populations in Massachusetts—as leaders rather than beneficiaries. These groups are systematically underrepresented in climate decision-making despite bearing disproportionate burdens from methane emissions and air pollution.

Empowerment: Youth co-researchers receive stipends, training, and ownership over data and advocacy. They do not simply collect data for external researchers; they define monitoring questions, analyze findings, and lead presentations to policymakers. This shifts power from institutions to communities, building a pipeline of young climate leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Representation in Organization: Public Health Literacy's leadership includes regional directors from Southeast Asia, India, Mexico, Peru, and the USA—representing diverse perspectives. As Project Lead, I am a first-generation immigrant and public health researcher committed to equity. Youth participants will form a Youth Advisory Board that guides project decisions, ensuring their voices shape governance. Community-based organizations in target neighborhoods will serve as co-design partners, embedding representation throughout implementation.

Youth Focus: With participants aged 18–24, YMHEC prioritizes youth—a demographic often excluded from climate funding and decision-making despite being most affected by long-term climate impacts. The project models intergenerational collaboration where youth lead with support from experienced mentors.

Website:

https://publichealthliteracy.org/

Mission Statement:

Public Health Literacy advances individual and community health by addressing critical public health issues through education, research, and advocacy, with a focus on health equity and the intersection of environmental health and non-communicable disease prevention.