Desmond Patton

One of the things we have learned in working on AccessibleVoting is how much easier it is to read the short, list-based content. (All of the screen text and content is in a headless database, which allows us to do some fun tricks in constructing links and other information.)

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A bipartisan Senate Committee just proposed a $32 billion initiative for AI development. The initiative emphasizes increasing research funding, setting robust development standards, and ensuring transparency. I advocate for integrating technology development with strong policy and societal insights to responsibly shape AI's future. What do you think? For more, check my blog here: https://lnkd.in/eqewPF78 #AI #Policy #Innovation #Governance

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Expanding neighborhoods and health research: Noli Brazil, Bozhidar Chakalov, Ph.D.(c), M.A. examine health associations when accounting for not just static neighborhoods but exposures based on adjacent and travel networks ; TLDR leads to accumulation of white advantage so neighborhood-only inequities are likely underestimates https://lnkd.in/gQmh8-df

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Join me at the Reparative AI panel at the Data for Black Lives conference in Florida! Key topics I'll be covering include: (1) Roles of iBuying, algorithmic trading and venture capital in the housing affordability crisis in Black communities. (2) Equity-centered iBuying algorithms. (3) #AI Governance as an enabler of reparative justice. Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/eyX8MW_Y Join the conversation and let's explore how AI can open doors and deliver keys to Black Americans. #ReparationsAI #DataForBlackLives #HousingJustice #D4BLIII

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DEI has become a dirty word, as I discuss in an essay for Nature Medicine. Several states have banned DEI in public universities, and a bill in Congress would cut federal funding for medical schools with DEI policies. Diversity, equity, and inclusion all sound nice and innocuous on their own, but together, they've become this terrible bogeyman. What went wrong, and how can we fix it? In this essay, Valerie E. Stone, MD, Ahmed Mukhtar Ahmed, and I explore the cracks in today's DEI landscape. Despite decades of effort, DEI in medicine remains largely performative — focused on implicit bias sessions, diversity statements, and executive figureheads. The biggest indictment of DEI efforts to date comes from the data: minority representation in medical schools and among faculty has stagnated, even declined, over the years... We're disheartened by the political backlash against DEI, but what’s even more troubling is how easily DEI has come undone. So what now? We argue that we must take the political backlash in stride and build anew, with a new push focused on outcomes, accountability, and evidence-based strategies. "We are not opposed to DEI, but instead to DEI poorly done, one that fails to provide a return on investment... Securing the future of diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine will not come from hastily defending existing efforts, but from acknowledging their failures." Read the full essay for free at my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gKqCnntW And if you can get past the paywall, here it is at Nature Portfolio: https://lnkd.in/gcezFvEU

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The newest C2 episode is out now! 🎧💬 For this month’s episode, I talked with Boston University School of Public Health’s own Dr. Monica L. Wang, ScD, MS about technology’s 💻 📱 evolving impact on health—especially as it relates to adolescent populations. We specifically talked about digital redlining and health misinformation as these are two areas of digital health I've taken a keen interest in. Like Dr. Wang, I see the intersection of technology and public health as important, but also something to revere critically, especially in our current era where AI can feel more like a buzzword than anything else.  On the subject of artificial intelligence: Dr. Wang summarized the current landscape as “AI for some, not AI for all,” and I found this to be incredibly insightful. It’s a good reminder for those of us in the field of public health, who are largely guided by our intent to do the most good for the most people, that our focus on AI should be just as equity-driven. Reflecting a bit, I think this means knowing when AI is unnecessary or worse, just a shiny new distraction from a deeper structural issue. A tremendous thank you again to Dr. Wang for her time and commitment. I loved getting to hear more about her thoughts on these subjects and I admire how balanced she was in delivering every pro of technology with an equally justified con. Digital health is a newfound passion of mine and I loved learning more about its ethics and intricacies...who knows, maybe I'll make a career out of it, too! 👩‍💻 Check out the episode here: https://lnkd.in/dRpNT4QD or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Interesting discussion regarding the world of online gaming, the intersection of gaming and metal health, and related issues with Kate Sheerin, Patricia Noel, LMSW, Rachel Kowert, and Alicia Clifton.

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Data is our superpower in public health, so one of the things I'm most proud of during my time at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is work that is not often talked about, but foundational, in our creation of the Center for Population Health Data Science and the Data Modernization Initiative, housed within it. Backed by significant Agency resources, combined with DMI funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with our technology partner Microsoft, we are creating a best-in-class informatics nerve center for health for the City of New York. We are building a central hub for citywide population health surveillance, integrating, automating, and streamlining data access, data governance, data manipulation, and data analysis so that we can move faster, and with greater intelligence to inform our planning, policies, and programs, whether dealing with the next infectious disease threat or our everyday chronic health challenges and inequities. This is what it means to build a 21st Century public health infrastructure, and is a critical part of the bridge between healthcare, social care, and public health. I could not be more proud of our team leading this work: Mamta Parakh Gretchen Van Wye Scott Liu Celia Quinn Charles “Chip” Ko Angel A. Ana T. Gutierrez, MPH and so many others. Thanks to Public Health Institute for lifting up our early work here:

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The federal government has teamed up with New York State to invest $3 billion into social care interventions that will impact health outcomes over the next three years--is your social care organization ready to take advantage of this moment? I've answered countless inbound questions about the waiver--the structure, the programs, how to best get involved. It's clear that there's a ton of confusion but also a ton of energy on behalf of social care providers all across the state! That's why we've designed a new offering at HSG -- a Waiver Workshop. This two-part, interactive session will give your leadership team all the facts in the shortest amount of time so that you can get to what matters most--crafting a comprehensive strategy plan for your organization to be successful. I spent nearly 10 years in the social care ecosystem before coming into the health care space--wouldn't you like to do this work with someone who understands your sector? I'm here to help. Sign up to schedule your workshop at the link below⬇ ⬇ #newyorkstate #medicaid #1115waiver #healthrelatedsocialneeds #socialcare #healthcare

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My proverbial "dance card" is filling up for late summer--lots of organizations are starting to position themselves to take full strategic advantage of the waiver. The Social Care Networks have been selected (announcement coming soon) and they're already making design decisions, as implementation begins now. Don't let this opportunity slip away if you're a health-adjacent social care provider! #medicaid #1115Waiver #socialcare #healthcare #socialdeterminantsofhealth #healthrelatedsocialneeds

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See the APNA DEI Policy Brief

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The Struggle for Equality: Racism and Disparities in Healthcare This article examines the systemic racism and discrimination that persist within the U.S. healthcare system, focusing on the challenges faced by Black and Brown individuals in accessing quality care. Historical contexts, including the impact of Jim Crow laws, illustrate the urgent need for systemic change to ensure equitable treatment for all patients. Influential voices, like Cesar Chavez and bell hooks, emphasize the importance of compassion and understanding in addressing these critical issues. Numerous studies indicate that Black and Brown individuals often receive substandard care compared to their White counterparts, leading to detrimental health outcomes. For instance, Black patients are 8% less likely to receive necessary healthcare services and tend to have less quality interaction with their providers. The lack of representation among healthcare professionals exacerbates this issue, as only 5% of U.S. physicians identify as Black or African American, creating barriers to effective communication and trust. In cities with few Black doctors, many patients experience helplessness due to a lack of culturally competent care and perceived animosity from predominantly White healthcare providers. This alienation can deter individuals from seeking medical help, contributing to higher mortality rates among these populations. Despite civil rights laws aimed at dismantling barriers, discrimination within healthcare settings remains prevalent, reflecting broader societal tendencies to marginalize minority voices. Numerous lawsuits filed in federal court reveal persistent discrimination and bias within the healthcare system. For example, a 2018 lawsuit against a California hospital alleged discrimination against Black patients in its treatment protocols, highlighting a troubling pattern of inequitable care. Such cases underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform in healthcare practices. To combat these disparities, advocates call for increasing diversity among healthcare providers and implementing training to address implicit biases. Policy reforms and community-driven initiatives are crucial for empowering marginalized voices and ensuring their health concerns are acknowledged. By working collectively to dismantle the remnants of racism within healthcare, we can create a system that genuinely serves all communities. Copyright © 2024 Dr. Bryan K. Hickman Email: [email protected] Date: November 2, 2024

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#SocialPrescribing can unlock access to critical community-based health and social resources that help people live healthier lives. We can advance #HealthEquity and address disparities by: ☑ Centering people's interests and health goals (rather than diagnoses or traditional treatments alone) ✅ Removing barriers to participation (such as cost, transportation, availability of activities and safe spaces and confidence for engaging) ☑ Prioritizing community connection and cultural humility (using codesign and coproduction practices for interventions) ✅ Securing health and social funding sources to support the expansion and evaluation of these models There are so many existing resources in so many communities in the form of #art, #culture, #nature, #volunteering organizations and more. We just need to make sure people get connected to what is right for them! 👯 🎭 🎨 🖼 🏵🌲 🤝 I am excited to talk more about this during my presentation "Social Prescribing to Advance Health Equity: Key Considerations and Examples from the Field" this Saturday at CT4A! Come check it out to hear more about what we are doing at Art Pharmacy and Nadha Hassen, PhD MPH's work with Park People / Ami·es des parcs. Reach out if you are interested in learning more about this growing movement for Social Prescribing!

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Do you have a plan? Environmental Public Health is uniquely able to provide the first and best proof of value for AI use in public health. The permits, inspections, and related documents are public records, making them great training data for an LLM. Add in all the regulations, research, and training materials every local EH operation has and the ability to keep the public informed is unparalleled in any other field of public health. If we work with the industry, like adding IOT devices to see real time temperatures and hand washing practices, the AI systems could be a food manager alert system between inspections and support a food safety culture. Alternately, building a machine learning tool with image recognition could make onsite sewage system inspections faster and more reliable. This is just scratching the surface. make a plan to participate as this technology evolves. It will be ubiquitous within this decade.

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Auto-mobility is by far the most expensive form of transportation America's form of forced Auto-mobility is a massive issue of inequity Honored to have our research featured in TRB's Weekly E-Newsletter Kudos to Quinn Molloy, Ph.D. and Carol Atkinson-Palombo "Today I spent 65% of my monthly income to get my car’s exhaust replaced. This is not shocking, unheard of, or even rare. The United States has been built to accommodate the automobile. In doing so, we have accomplished what transportation historian Peter Norton describes as normalizing the abnormal. It is expected that every American adult own a personal vehicle, and thus it is normal for Americans to allocate more than 15% of their total annual spending toward cars. It is normal for Americans to have no alternative to vehicle use to safely accomplish their daily travel, and thus are coerced into perpetual vehicle spending for their adult lives. These circumstances surrounding high levels of spending on cars have become so normalized that the damage that they cause is only recently being discussed as a critical issue in general discourse and is still limited in research and other academic endeavors." Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD Peter Norton

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Along with the Ad Council Research Institute, I'm honored to launch a compilation report detailing the findings of two independent studies of the public’s views on the impact of gun violence on children and what can be done to reduce it. The new report includes findings from a mixed-method qualitative study of 74 participants, and a quantitative survey of over 3,000 respondents. The big picture? Americans are more alike than they are different when it comes to beliefs about gun violence’s impact on children and how to reduce it - including gun safety responsibility, education, and the overwhelming need to reduce the impact of gun violence on children and teens. The issue is, they're hesitant and unsure of how to start conversations on the topic. Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/gZjAJQDD

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Lots of insightful takeaways in the latest from Stanford Social Innovation Review and authors Michael Brown and Katherine Klein at The Wharton School on #impinv (and in collaboration with members of the Impact Finance Research Consortium, a critical research-driven initiative in our space). Insights from a survey of over 200 impact fund managers includes a treasure trove of data, but a couple of key points stood out: - Contrary to common belief (and a misconception that we can’t seem to squash), impact investors seeking market-rate returns generally reported lower levels of difficulty in achieving their financial goals. Somewhat counterintuitively, impact investors targeting below-market returns found the finding (and executing) of these investments more challenging. - The difficulty that below-market impact investors face may be tied to a more stringent expectation of what impact really is. Market-rate seeking impact investors saw impact and financial factors as intertwined, but often used financial success as a proxy for overall success. In contrast, below-market-rate investors may have a higher bar to clear re impact-only targets. - A potentially effective framework to help juice better impact outcomes is “additionality” (the idea that for impact investing to add value, it must achieve social or environmental outcomes beyond what traditional investors would achieve). This article rightly asks whether - definitionally - impact investing should be harder. In many cases, yes. If the easy answers were already there, the market would have responded. #impinv Dig in for more: https://lnkd.in/gXkXe8bv

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The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, recently issued an advisory on the mental health of parents—an important and long-overdue acknowledgment of the pressures facing families in America. However, there’s a critical piece missing: climate change. 🌍 As the realities of climate change intensify, so does climate anxiety—and it’s increasingly affecting the mental health and well-being of families. By overlooking this growing stressor, we risk missing a significant factor that compounds the challenges parents and future generations face. Mental health is complex, and we must broaden our understanding of the forces at play, including the existential fears brought on by climate disruption. It’s time we start connecting these dots in our policy discussions. For a deeper dive, check out my collaboration with Anya Kamenetz. https://lnkd.in/edg4hX2q

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