Health equity, the epidemic of loneliness, and Boston’s waterfront

The Bay State Banner—In his book “Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life,” Eric Klinenberg emphasizes the significance of social infrastructure in binding communities together. Waterfronts in Boston form an integral part of this social infrastructure, requiring accessibility and utilization by all communities. On the heels of Mental Health Awareness month and the recent alarm being sounded by the surgeon general around our nation’s epidemic of loneliness and isolation, it is essential we prioritize equitable access to waterfronts. By doing so we can combat the disproportionate impact communities of color have experienced during the pandemic, ensuring their well-being is not further compromised. Much like how social infrastructure offered a protective effect during the deadly Chicago heat wave of 1995, saving lives, our attention to providing equal access to waterfronts can have a similar life-saving impact on the communities we serve.