PI's Weekly Media Digest: Police violence protests at DNC; How restorative rustice works; Zika now in Florida; and more

Welcome to our media digest for the week of July 29, 2016! Below you’ll find summaries of news coverage on the issues of preventing violence, trauma, nutrition, health equity, mental health, and more. The views expressed in these articles do not reflect those of Prevention Institute.

Violence Prevention

Activists protest police violence and gun at DNC

At the Democratic convention, activists protested police violence, as well as policies that negatively impact communities of color. Inside the convention halls, an entire segment of the first night’s program was devoted specifically to gun violence – signifying what may be a sea change in the Democratic Party’s approach to the issue. As the Christian Science Monitor notes, the Democrats are increasingly framing the issue of gun violence as a public health crisis.

Michael Jordan speaks out against police violence

In a statement to ESPN's The Undefeated, Michael Jordan said that he has been distressed by the deaths of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement and is grieving with the victims' families, as his own father was shot in 1993. "We need to find solutions that ensure people of color receive fair and equal treatment AND that police officers -- who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all -- are respected and supported," Jordan said. (via BMSG)

In 2 weeks 247 people killed in 8 terrorist attacks in 6 countries

Over the past two weeks, 247 people were killed in eight terrorist attacks in six countries. The New York Times sought out to profile every victim of terror they could find. Unlike most coverage of recent terror events that focus on the perpetrator, this piece gives humanity to the victims of these tragedies. (via BMSG)

Health Equity

How North Carolina’s HB2 bill impacts transgender and disabled populations

This Feministing piece discusses how North Carolina's HB2 bill impacts transgender and disabled people. Disability activists argue that the bill narrows disabled people's and caretakers' ability to navigate public spaces, noting "There is no exception that allows a person with a disability to enter a restroom in a public agency that is assigned to the sex of his or her caregiver." 

EPI finds that gender wage gap stems from discrimination

A new report confirms what millions of women already know: that women’s choices are not to blame for the gender wage gap. Instead, researchers at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the progressive think tank that issued the report, say that women’s unequal pay is driven by “discrimination, social norms, and other factors beyond women’s control.”

Impacts of Orlando’s mass shooting on the LGBTQ community

This AlterNet piece details the challenges Orlando’s predominantly Latino LGBTQ community faces in the aftermath of the country's deadliest mass shooting. For instance, many people were forced out of the closet by the violence, and some undocumented people who were injured face concerns about accessing and paying for medical care.

Can racism spread like infectious disease?

This piece in Communities Digital News explores whether racism can be spread like an infectious disease. One proposal: counter-interventions, such as when opposing groups of protestors join forces, can be a powerful antidote. However, BMSG notes that the “analysis is limited to interpersonal racism and overlooks its systemic and structural forms.”

Learn how restorative justice works

PBS NewsHour explains how the restorative justice process works and highlights its potential to curb recidivism, with 35 states now having legislation on the books encouraging its use.

NBA relocates 2017 All-Star game in support of transgender equity

The NBA and many of its players continue to stand up for equity in a variety of ways. The league decided  to relocate its 2017 All-Star game away from North Carolina – a powerful symbolic stand against transgender discrimination and an action that will have real economic consequences in North Carolina.

Black children more targeted for school suspension than white children

A 2010-2015 federal study found that black children attending public preschools are 3.6 times more likely to be suspended than their white peers. Similar studies also show that black children tend to be viewed as more mature and less innocent. This AlterNet piece analyzes the environmental and social factors that lead to higher suspension rates for black children and the discriminatory practices that reinforce their criminalization.

Black population of Louisiana disproportionately targeted by justice system

This New America Media piece shows the disparity in arrests and justice system involvement for the black population of Louisiana. According to a 2015 report released by the Vera Institute of Justice, black residents of New Orleans account for about 79 percent of arrests for marijuana possession. In March 2016, the city council passed an ordinance giving marijuana possession a significantly lower penalty.

Community environments

Zika spreads to continental US, first cases in Florida

Today, the CDC confirmed  that Zika is now spreading in the local mosquito population in the continental US, resulting in new infections in Florida. Earlier this week, the Houston Chronicle ran Sheila’s op-ed, calling for upfront investments in public health infrastructure and calling attention to the inequities in Zika risk.

“Smart Snacks!” USDA announces new food rules in schools

The USDA announced new rules for school foods, including setting “Smart Snacks” standards for competitive foods sold in vending machines and a la carte lines; establishing school wellness policy benchmarks; and reaffirming a commitment to the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides universal access to free meals when a certain percentage of children in a school district qualify.

Low-income and African-American communities targeted for smoking campaign

A new social marketing campaign in Philadelphia reveals how the tobacco industry targets low-income and African-American neighborhoods to recruit new “replacement smokers.”

California

Time to vote! November ballot measures are finalized this week

Ballot measures for November 2016 were finalized this week. California voters will consider ballot measures to abolish the death penalty, tighten gun control regulations, increase the cigarette tax by $2 per pack to fund healthcare and prevention programs, and legalize marijuana, among other measures.

Mental health

Obama signs Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act into Law

Obama signed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act into law but expressed disappointment more money was not provided for treatment.

Fayetteville rallies to address opioid addiction

In Fayetteville, Veterans, law enforcement and faith leaders are collaborating on a community initiative to address opioid addiction.

Health Systems Transformation

Hospitals’ star ratings soon to be published by CMS

Few U.S. hospitals received a five-star rating for overall hospital quality, according to preliminary data CMS released last week. CMS said it plans to soon publish the complete star ratings on its Hospital Compare website, despite stakeholders' calls to further delay their release.

Healthcare foundations work to reduce cost of caring for chronic disease

Five major national healthcare foundations are working together on a new project aimed at reducing the costs of caring for chronically ill patients, the groups announced in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Commonwealth Fund, the John A. Hartford Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Peterson Center on Healthcare, and the SCAN Foundation said they will launch the initiative later this year.