Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha

Definition

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and public health advocate known for her role in exposing the Flint water crisis, which revealed lead contamination in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan. Her tireless efforts mobilized community support and drew national attention to the health impacts of environmental injustice, demonstrating how grassroots activism can lead to significant policy changes and coalition building in public health.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dr. Hanna-Attisha conducted research that proved the correlation between lead exposure in children and the drinking water in Flint, leading to a public outcry.
2. Her work led to a significant increase in testing for lead levels in children, which helped identify many cases of lead poisoning.
3. She played a crucial role in advocating for policy changes at local, state, and national levels to address the water crisis and improve infrastructure.
4. Dr. Hanna-Attisha founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing health disparities and advocating for children's health and safety in Flint.
5. Her efforts not only highlighted the Flint crisis but also sparked a larger conversation about environmental justice and public health across the United States.

Review Questions

• How did Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's research contribute to mobilizing grassroots support during the Flint water crisis?
  • Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's research provided crucial evidence linking lead exposure in children to contaminated drinking water in Flint. By making this information public, she galvanized community members, activists, and organizations to rally around the issue. Her findings empowered residents to demand accountability from local officials and raised awareness about the need for immediate action, effectively mobilizing grassroots support to confront the public health emergency.
• Discuss the role of coalition building in Dr. Hanna-Attisha's efforts to address the Flint water crisis and its impact on policy changes.
  • Dr. Hanna-Attisha recognized the importance of coalition building by uniting healthcare professionals, community activists, educators, and policymakers in her fight against the Flint water crisis. This collaborative approach allowed for a more comprehensive response to the public health emergency, combining expertise from various sectors to advocate for necessary policy changes. By working together, these coalitions amplified their voices, resulting in increased funding for infrastructure improvements and heightened scrutiny of water quality regulations.
• Evaluate how Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's work exemplifies the intersection of public health advocacy and environmental justice.
  • Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's work illustrates how public health advocacy and environmental justice are interconnected through her efforts to address the Flint water crisis. By exposing lead contamination and its detrimental effects on children's health, she highlighted systemic inequities faced by marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Her advocacy not only focused on immediate health impacts but also emphasized long-term changes in policies to ensure safe drinking water for all, thereby aligning public health goals with broader movements for social justice.

Related terms

Flint Water Crisis: A public health crisis that began in 2014 when the drinking water supply for Flint, Michigan, was contaminated with lead due to improper water treatment and aging infrastructure.

Public Health Advocacy: The process of promoting and supporting policies or initiatives that aim to improve health outcomes and address health disparities within communities.

Environmental Justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental laws, regulations, and policies, particularly those disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.