Desert Healthcare District plans summit to spotlight environmental health concerns

Coachella Valley residents are invited to converge on Sept. 20-21 with environmental advocates, public health experts and local and state leaders at the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit in Rancho Mirage.

The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation will present the free summit, with community partners, to address the valley's environmental health challenges. It will feature more than 30 panelists during 11 sessions over a day and a half, with "Empowering the community through resilient environments" as the overarching theme. Topics will range from "The Impact of Lithium Mining at the Salton Sea" to "Public Utilities for a Sustainable Future" and "Assessing the Health Risks of Regional Air Pollution."

Both days will include a keynote address, which is expected to be a summit highlight. On Sept. 20, California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia will speak. Garcia was appointed in August 2022 to state secretary by Gov. Gavin Newsom. In addition to advising Newsom on environmental policy, Garcia oversees the state's efforts to fight climate change, protect air and water quality, regulate pesticides and toxic substances, achieve the state's recycling and waste reduction goals and advance environmental justice.

Since 2021, Garcia has served as Special Assistant Attorney General advising California Attorney General Rob Bonta on the California Department of Justice's legal and policy matters pertaining to the environment, land law and natural resources, including the climate, transportation, energy and housing.

The keynote speech on Sept. 21 will be delivered by Nalleli Cobo, a young environmental activist who is gaining international renown. Cobo received the 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize after she identified an oil-drilling site in her Los Angeles neighborhood as the source of her cancer diagnosis in 2020 and the illnesses of other residents. Her efforts succeeded in closing the drill when she was 19.

"I'm honored to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Healthy Desert, Healthy You conference in Palm Springs," Cobo said. "This event promises to be an insightful two days, featuring talks on vital topics such as clean air and water, youth activism and environmental justice. It’s an exciting opportunity to explore how we can all contribute to a healthier planet. Remember, we all have the power to drive change at any age. I'm looking forward to sharing ideas and inspiration with you all — let's make a difference together!"

A co-founder of People Not Pozos, Cobo also plans to meet separately with youths at the summit. Event planners have invited valley youth organizations to participate and have designed a session with them in mind: "Youth, Civic Engagement and Environmental Action."

"In planning this summit, it was important to approach the topics from a community-wide, service-oriented perspective," said Chris Christensen, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO. "We have incredibly accomplished and knowledgeable panelists and moderators who will not only discuss the environmental challenges our community is facing, but they will also provide information for attendees to apply in their own lives to improve overall health conditions."

To help ensure that the work of advancing environmental health continues after the summit, the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation will launch on Sept. 16 a $1 million Request for Proposals (RFP). Nonprofit organizations and agencies that have services and programs to address air quality in the Coachella Valley are encouraged to apply for funding. (Visit dhcd.org to learn more on the release date.)

The RFP is a part of the District and Foundation's environmental health initiative, which aligns with the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit.

In recent years, the Healthcare District has recognized the impact of air quality, water quality and land use on health through three independent studies. In 2021, the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board included improving environmental health as one of three high-priority goals in a five-year strategic plan.

The timing of the new strategic plan was fortuitous. When Tropical Storm Hilary swept through the valley in August 2023, it unexpectedly brought to the forefront many of the previously identified environmental health concerns. In the same year, these concerns were centered as the District and Foundation staff and partners began planning the inaugural summit.

"It's been a collaborative effort from the first planning meeting," said Evett PerezGil, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board president. "While many communities are grappling with environmental issues due to climate change or natural disasters, we are fortunate in the Coachella Valley to have supportive organizations, community leaders and health care professionals who are stepping up as summit partners and sponsors to help make a difference."

For more information about the summit, visit healthydeserthealthyyou.com .

Will Dean is the director of communications and marketing for the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation. He can be reached at wdean@dhcd.org .

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Healthcare District plans summit to spotlight environmental health concerns