MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES HEALTH EQUITY AGENDA TO IMPROVE LIFE EXPECTANCY

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES HEALTH EQUITY AGENDA TO IMPROVE LIFE EXPECTANCY  New multi-sector partnership between the City, the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Community Health Collaborative, and $10 million investment from Atrius Health Equity Foundation

BOSTON - Wednesday, July 10, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) today announced a new long-term health equity agenda to improve life expectancy, reduce racial and ethnic disparities, and help all residents live longer and healthier lives. BPHC's Health of Boston 2023 report on Mortality and Life Expectancy found stark differences in average life expectancy among neighborhoods, the most striking being a 23-year difference between those who live in a part of Back Bay compared to those who live two miles away near Nubian Square in Roxbury. New BPHC data show that while life expectancy in Boston has overall rebounded since the COVID-19 pandemic, the racial gap has widened. In 2019, Black residents had an average life expectancy of 77 years, which was four years less than white residents, while in 2023, Black residents had an average life expectancy of 76 years, six years less than white residents. To improve life expectancy and reduce racial and ethnic gaps, BPHC is urgently encouraging organizations to partner with the Commission to advance health equity.   “I’m thrilled that Boston is launching this first ever public health agenda backed up by community collaboration and resources,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Creating opportunities so that every resident has access to healthy food, livable communities, and access to healthcare are important to ensuring every resident feels at home in Boston. I’m so grateful to the Boston Public Health Commission, Atrius Health Equity Foundation, and all of our partners for their commitment to improving the lives of our residents.” The Commission’s Live Long and Well health equity agenda focuses on three of the leading causes of premature mortality in Boston: cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and other related disorders; cancers of the breast, cervix, colon, prostate, and lung; and unintentional drug overdoses. The agenda also emphasizes the importance of infant and maternal health, older adult health, and mental and behavioral health.   Today’s announcement identified the first priority area as cardiometabolic diseases, which are among the top five leading causes of death before the age of 65 in Boston and disproportionately impact communities of color. According to BPHC’s Health of Boston 2023 reports, compared to white residents, Black residents died of heart disease at a 37% higher rate; Black residents died of diabetes at a 220% higher rate; and Latine residents died of diabetes at a 80% higher rate. Social and economic factors such as poverty, insufficient housing, and food insecurity make it significantly more likely for a person to develop poorer health outcomes, including cardiometabolic diseases.  “Boston is a city that is rich with high quality health care resources. Yet, we have long-standing gaps in life expectancy and other health outcomes by race, ethnicity and neighborhood,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “In order to close these gaps, we need to focus on drivers of poor health that exist outside the walls of health care institutions, like poverty and economic inequality. This will require a collaborative, whole-of-society, multi-sector approach. I want to thank Atrius Health Equity Foundation for their investment that I hope will catalyze more new partnerships to improve health and well-being for all in our city.”   The Boston Community Health Collaborative (BCHC) – which is facilitated by BPHC and convenes City departments, public health, healthcare, community based organizations, and Boston residents – developed a community health improvement plan that identified economic mobility and inclusion as a critical strategy to improve health. To support this, Atrius Health Equity Foundation has committed $10 million for community-led coalitions to improve financial wellbeing in communities with poor cardiometabolic health outcomes. This investment makes the City of Boston, BPHC, BCHC, and Atrius Health Equity Foundation the first multi-sector partnership in the Live Long and Well agenda. “We hear from communities across Eastern Massachusetts how economic opportunity is foundational for health and well-being. Our investment recognizes the deep connection between health and wealth and aims to support communities in creating the conditions that enable everyone to thrive,” said Dr. Ann Hwang, President of the Atrius Health Equity Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with the Mayor, the City of Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, and the Boston Community Health Collaborative, all of whom have shown tremendous leadership in advancing community priorities for better health.”  “Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Wu and the Boston Public Health Commission, our work as the Collaborative has flourished and is now resulting in a transformative $10 million dollar investment by Atrius Health Equity Foundation," said Magnolia Contreras, Vice-President of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Co-Chair of the Boston Community Health Collaborative. "This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment, and this investment will go directly to issues raised by our community members who are most impacted by life expectancy disparities.”  To execute on this work, a request for proposals will be developed collaboratively and organizations will be able to apply as early as this fall. This partnership will help residents, especially those who are most at-risk for cardiometabolic diseases, meet basic needs, have more access to financial supports and wealth-building opportunities, and navigate complex healthcare and social support systems. This will improve financial stability, mental health, stress, and cardiometabolic health for residents across Boston. Additionally, the Boston Public Health Commission runs several existing programs and initiatives to prevent cardiometabolic diseases. The Commission’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Division promotes screenings for early detection of disease and partners with other City departments to give residents more access to healthy foods and physical activity. Programs include the Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series, Healthy Boston Nutrition Education, Boston Safe Routes to School, and the Boston Healthy Childcare Initiative.    The Commission is currently working on a report detailing the Live Long and Well agenda that will be published later this year. Learn more and track updates at boston.gov/live-long.  ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION   Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is the country’s oldest health department. We envision a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy and fulfilling lives. To accomplish this, BPHC works in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. Learn more about our work at boston.gov/bphc.

Healey-Driscoll Office of Energy Transformation Announces Advisory Board and Focus on Peaker Plants, Everett LNG Terminal, and Affordability

 Healey-Driscoll Office of Energy Transformation Announces Advisory Board and Focus on Peaker Plants, Everett LNG Terminal, and Affordability   

The Energy Transformation Advisory Board will include utilities, fossil fuel workers, business groups, technology providers and innovators, and environmental justice advocates, among others, and will provide advice and guidance to the Office of Energy Transformation as it focuses on affordability, decarbonizing the peak, and transitioning away from the Everett LNG Terminal  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the formation of the Energy Transformation Advisory Board to advise and guide the state in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. The Advisory Board will include a broad range of stakeholders, including labor, business, finance, environmental justice advocates, utilities, technology providers, building owners, developers, and generators, among others. This group will advise the newly established Office of Energy Transformation (OET), which is charged with affordably, equitably, and responsibly accelerating the gas-to-electric transition and readying the electric grid to meet the state’s climate and clean energy mandates. OET also announced today its first three priority focus areas: transitioning away from the Everett Marine Terminal liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, decarbonizing how we meet peak electric demand, and establishing alternative mechanisms to finance the clean energy transition.  

“The clean energy future will not happen if we operate in silos,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The Office of Energy Transformation and this newly-created Advisory Board is an invitation to everyone impacted to come to the table, bring solutions, and make real commitments to move us forward. This is an opportunity for coordination between our utilities, for targeted workforce development for our gas workers, and for climate and environmental justice advocates to ensure we’re moving swiftly and equitably. These are challenging issues, but I’m confident that Massachusetts can continue our climate leadership as a team.”  

“With the establishment of the Energy Transformation Advisory Board, we can ensure that our gas workers and impacted businesses have a seat at the table in the clean energy transition,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This transition is bigger than flipping a switch – it’s thousands of workers and businesses that rely on fossil fuels for their livelihood. By coming together, aligning on solutions, and investing in workforce development and climatetech, we can ensure that workers and their families will have good-paying careers in our clean energy future.”    

To ensure compliance with the legal mandates and policies in the Global Warming Solutions Act, the Clean Energy and Climate Plans, and the Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU) Order 20-80, Massachusetts must achieve a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. The primary mechanism to accomplish this task will be the electrification of buildings and transportation to be powered by new clean energy sources. OET’s mission is to ensure that the electric grid is affordably enhanced, that the state is making steady progress toward moving away from fossil fuels, and that the workers and businesses dependent on fossil fuels for their livelihood are supported in the transition. The Advisory Board will serve as an opportunity for the Healey-Driscoll Administration to hear directly from climate solution providers and impacted stakeholders and create the venue for them to work together to advance the clean energy transition.  

“DPU’s Order 20-80 set the stage for the transition from gas to electricity, making Massachusetts the first state in the country to require its utilities to prioritize electrification. Now it’s time to execute on that vision,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We launched the Office of Energy Transformation and Advisory Board to take on this big challenge. We’re grateful that so many stakeholders are rising to meet it. The three focus areas outlined today are tangible next steps in ending our reliance on some of the most costly and dirty fossil fuel infrastructure, and ensuring that our ratepayers and environmental justice communities are kept at the heart of this transition.”  

“No single sector, entity, or organization can transform an energy ecosystem that took more than 100 years to build,” said OET Executive Director Melissa Lavinson. “But, together, with the guidance of the Advisory Board and focus of the Office of Energy Transformation, we can find a better way that works for all communities across Massachusetts. We’re going to get to work to advance our competitiveness, ensure a just transition for workers and businesses, create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators, and continue our proud position as a climate leader and model for others.”  

Priority Areas  

OET has established three focus areas for its work aligned with its mission and that will result in tangible, demonstrable and transformative change. Members of the Advisory Board will advise on the priority focus areas and provide strategic guidance to OET as it conducts its work in collaboration with stakeholders from across the energy ecosystem.  

 

·          Transitioning Away from Reliance on the Everett Marine Terminal LNG Facility. The Everett Marine Terminal imports LNG and supports Massachusetts and the New England region by helping to meet energy needs on the coldest of days or if there is a disruption elsewhere in the system. It is one of the longest operating LNG facilities in the United States. The state’s three largest gas utilities executed contracts to maintain the use of the facility until 2030. In its order approving the contracts, the DPU required that the utilities establish plans to move beyond reliance on fossil fuel infrastructure and natural gas, including the Everett Marine Terminal LNG facility, and expeditiously toward electrification and other alternatives, like geothermal. This work group will convene stakeholders to develop a coordinated strategy to reduce and ultimately eliminate the local gas distribution companies’ reliance on Everett Marine Terminal LNG facility, aligned with DPU Order 20-80-2 and the state’s climate and clean energy mandates, including those established in the Global Warming Solutions Act. 

  

·          Decarbonizing the Peak. Peaking power plants are facilities that generally run only when there is a high demand for electricity. There are dozens of fossil fuel-fired power plants in Massachusetts, the majority of which are peaking power plants or combined heat and power (CHP) facilities, with many located in or near environmental justice communities. As Massachusetts transitions to an electrified energy system powered by renewables, there is a potential for the state to become more reliant, not less, on these assets. This work group will identify and demonstrate pathways to reduce reliance on and expeditiously eliminate fossil fuels from peaking power plant and CHP facilities, both via alternative demand and supply side options. 

  

·          Establishing Alternative Mechanisms to Finance the Transition. This work group will identify alternative mechanisms for financing electricity distribution system infrastructure upgrades necessary to achieve Massachusetts’ clean energy and climate mandates that reduce the cost of the energy transition for ratepayers and minimizes bill impacts, while providing the revenue necessary to make the infrastructure investments required to support the energy transition and meet our climate and clean energy mandates.  

Energy Transformation Advisory Board  

The Advisory Board will provide guidance and recommendations to the OET on strategic direction and areas of focus to execute the energy transition, including in the areas of gas-to-electric transition, electric grid readiness, and the just transition for workers, business and communities. The Advisory Board will be comprised of senior leaders and decisionmakers from across the energy ecosystem, representing labor, industry, technology, supply chain, environmental justice communities, consumers, policymakers and elected officials, housing and real estate developers, energy suppliers and providers, investors, and financial institutions, among others. 

 

The Advisory Board will meet in person on a quarterly basis, with meetings open to the public. It will also hold one public comment session each year. Additionally, the OET will hold four additional meetings around Massachusetts to receive public input and share this feedback with the Advisory Board as a whole at its quarterly meetings. 

天氣預報一連數日高溫 波士頓市府提供納涼資訊助民防熱

              (Boston Orange 編譯) 天氣預報，在7月9日至12日之間，波士頓市氣溫偏高，將是接近或甚至高於華氏90度。波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)發佈”高溫提醒”，呼籲民眾出門時注意防曬，補充水份。

              波士頓市的”高溫提醒”門檻是一旦連續3天以上，每天有2小時以上，氣溫高達華氏90度或以上，就要提醒市民注意預防天氣過熱引起身體不適。

              波士頓市政府緊急準備長(Chief of Emergency Preparedness) Adrian Jordan表示，市府的緊急管理辦公室和國家氣象服務局 (NWS)，波士頓市公共衛生局在天氣，以及天氣對民眾的影響上緊密合作，提醒民眾天氣過熱很危險，持續過熱會讓人中暑，或其他因熱引發的疾病。

              每逢熱浪來襲時，波士頓市的緊急醫療服務單位接到的911求救電話，也比平時多上10%到15%。

              波士頓全市各公園、遊樂場的濺水墊，以及數個市有游泳池，波士遁世公共圖書館都將開放供民眾納涼。查詢詳細地點，可上市政府網站，boston.gov/heat，boston.gov/pools，登記游泳池會員或報名上游泳課，也可上網Boston.gov/BCYF-registration。民眾也可登記，獲取市政府的相關提醒通知City of Boston alerts and notifications | Boston.gov。

MAYOR WU URGES CAUTION AS WARM WEATHER FORECASTED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

BOSTON - Tuesday, July 9, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a heat advisory for the City of Boston beginning today, July 9 through Friday, July 12, due to the upcoming weather forecasts. High temperatures will reach into the high 80s, with the heat index expected to reach the 90s. The current City of Boston heat advisory threshold is 3 days or more of 90 degrees heat index, sustained for 2 or more hours per day.  “City staff are working to ensure Boston has an enjoyable and safe summer, and we’re asking residents to do their part to protect themselves from hot and humid weather,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “While this is not a heat emergency, we are advising people to take the necessary precautions such as taking breaks when working outside, staying hydrated, and checking on each other in the heat.” “The Office of Emergency Management is coordinating closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) and Boston Public Health Commission on the weather and its impacts to our constituents. We are in communication with our partners, particularly those that work directly with vulnerable populations, to ensure they have what they need and will be available to support any resource or coordination needs that may arise,” said Chief of Emergency Preparedness Adrian Jordan. “We want to remind residents that extreme heat can be dangerous. Sustained periods of high heat increases the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions.”  The City of Boston is taking critical immediate action to provide heat relief, including short-term, actionable steps toward relief during heat waves. The City of Boston has been engaging in a variety of projects to support extreme heat mitigation and improved health for residents. Anyone, regardless of their medical conditions, can feel the impacts of extreme heat. During a heat wave, Boston Emergency Medical Services typically experience an 10-15% increase in calls to 9-1-1 for people of all ages.  Splash pads will be open at parks and playgrounds throughout the City. Several city pools are open for people to cool off and operating hours can be found at boston.gov/pools. Memberships to all City pools are free. Learn more about how to create a membership and register for a swim session at Boston.gov/BCYF-registration. Because of a collaboration between Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, the Public Facilities Department, and the Property Management Department, investments of City funding, and improved facilities assessment, the City is on track to have more pools open this year than in previous summers. The BCYF Mildred pool opens tomorrow and the BCYF Perkins pool opened just yesterday. Boston Public Library locations are also available for residents to seek relief from the heat.  Patrons are always welcome to participate in BPL’s summer programming for kids, teens, and adults. Information on heat safety tips can be found online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston on Twitter. Residents can sign up for AlertBoston, the City's emergency notification system, to receive emergency alerts by phone, email, or text. Sign up online here. Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with any questions about available City services. The Mayor issued the following heat safety tips: Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. Keep cool with frequent cool showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans.  Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas and be extra cautious from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., when the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is strongest. Know the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not delay care. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and can exacerbate underlying illnesses. Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing including long sleeve shirts and hats. If you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the leading cause of injury for children under the age of six.  Secure all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's specifications. If you are heading to a beach, lake, or pool to beat the heat, swim where lifeguards are present. Always watch children near the water and make sure they’re wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Please call or check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities. Please keep pets indoors, hydrated, and cool as asphalt and ground conditions are significantly hotter and unsafe during heat. Helping Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: If you see individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or disoriented, please ask them if they need assistance and call 9-1-1 immediately. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates emergency shelters at 112 Southampton St (men’s shelter) and 794 Massachusetts Ave (women’s shelter). These facilities are air conditioned and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Amnesty will be called at temperatures of 90 degrees or above, so those with non-violent restrictions can access shelter out of the heat. The City of Boston works closely with a network of shelter providers to ensure there is adequate shelter, food, water, and a cool respite from the heat. Street outreach teams providing recovery services remain operating as normal during summertime weather. Outreach teams are providing water on outreach routes. Playground Safety:   Shoes should be worn outdoors, including playgrounds and turf athletic fields, as surfaces can become extremely hot and cause burns, even on splash pads and spray decks. Outdoor Fires and Grilling: No outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas, and bonfires. Charcoal grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind and never leave grills unattended. Dispose of the ash in a metal container once completely out. Propane tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never carry propane tanks into a home. Grills should always be used in a well-ventilated area. The City of Boston’s work is guided by the Heat Resilience Solutions for Boston framework to prepare for hotter summers and more intense heat events. The Heat Plan presents 26 strategies that will help build a more just, equitable, and resilient Boston. Visit boston.gov/heat regularly to learn more about the latest strategies for staying cool and to access the most up-to-date resources available. Each individual, family, and community’s plan may look different: from accessing one of Boston’s public pools or parks, or requesting a pop-up cooling kit for use at an outdoor event. You can read more about the strategies to stay cool this summer in the Summer Cooling Guide. In all extreme heat situations, please look out for your community, specifically heat-sensitive residents like elders, children, or unhoused people.

波士頓榮光會七月紀念盧溝橋事變 理事會縮減為7人

波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽(前中)和會員合影。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓榮光會7月6日在紐英崙中華公所舉行民國113年會員大會，紀念盧溝橋抗戰「七七事變」87週年。會中通過任命陳家驊出任秘書長，理事會規模縮減為七人，監事及候補名額維持3人不變，歡迎新會員馮友富。

波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽主持會議。主席台上左起陳家驊，僑教中心主任潘昭榮，
波士頓經文處副處長施維鈞，榮光會副理事長蘇麗萍。(周菊子攝)

           在紀念盧溝橋抗戰87週年部分，駐波士頓經文處副處長施維鈞，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮作為嘉賓，應邀出席。

           施維鈞簡要表示他代表經文處處長廖朝宏及辦事處同仁出席大會，為有幸與榮光會袍澤一起緬懷歷史，感到光榮。

波士頓經文處處長施維鈞(左起)、榮光會理事長鄭增壽，僑教中心主任
潘昭榮，榮光會新任秘書長陳家驊與出席會員耖國歌。(周菊子攝)

           潘昭榮透露，新僑教中心主任高家富已定8月中就職，這將是他最後一次參加榮光會活動，很感謝過去四年來榮光會的支持，盼今後榮光會能繼續支持僑教中心和經文處。也希望榮光會能踴躍出席美國退伍軍人會將於今年稍後舉辦的遊行，讓更多人看見台灣。波士頓的國慶遊行，今年已排定10月5日舉行，也希望榮光會會員們傾力支持。

      

波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽(右起)，副理事長蘇麗萍謝謝
周仙梅介紹新會員。(周菊子攝)

僑教中心主任潘昭榮透露，他將於8月中離任返台。(周菊子攝)

           在會員大會部分，波士頓榮光會理事長鄭增壽報告過去一年會務概況，說明原秘書長李維邦早前因病住院，繼而以身體健康因素請辭，非常感謝曾任紐英崙中華公所主席的陳家驊不計較臨時受託，願意屈就。

          在過去這一年中，去年7月他從袁建業手中接下理事長一職後，8月包水餃，慶祝中秋節，10月率隊參加國慶遊行，酒會，陸續舉辦的紀念總統蔣公誕辰，慶祝榮民節，會員大會，美國退伍軍人節遊行，今年3月春宴，6月登山等。

其中的國慶遊行，有陳新友組織歌舞隊，邊遊行，邊表演，備受好評。國慶晚會則待今年向波士頓經文處處長爭取邀請該會參加的名額。

          本來今年該會還規劃了到華府參觀雙橡園的活動，沒想到租巴士的費用太過昂貴，因而取消。以後希望交由辦活動經驗豐富的楊思聖負責。8月分他希望再來一次包水餃活動，並改在中華公所舉行。

鄭增壽也解釋道，由於他本人將於9月份返台居留約三個月，因此提前舉行會員大會。

劉成為蘆溝橋事變講了幾句話，(周菊子攝)

              上次的第四次理事會的縮減理事人數決議，當天經討論及投票後，決定把人數從之前議定的9人，再減為7人，監事與候補名額仍保持為3人，明年的改選，將依新名額辦理。

              這天的會員大會，還有財務組張明燦，會務組張偉林，活動組陳新友，婦女組張韻蘭，出席中華公所代表池元山等人做報告，同時決議將縮減、合併服務組別，積極招募新及年輕會員，以維持傳承。

波士頓榮光會開會員大會。(周菊子攝)

波士頓榮光會員們穿著該會背心出席。(周菊子攝)

波士頓榮光會會員們出席會員大會。(周菊子攝)

全體會員起立唱國歌。(周菊子攝）