The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation will present Healthy Desert, Healthy You, a Coachella Valley environmental health summit, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21, at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, at 71333 Dinah Shore Drive. The summit will be free and open to all valley residents, and it will focus on exploring and providing updates on air quality, water quality and land-use challenges in the valley.
Here, Chris Christensen, the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO, answers questions about the plans and goals for the summit.
What can Coachella Valley residents expect when they attend the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit on Sept. 20 and 21?
The summit will feature 11 panels of health experts, environmental advocates, state and community leaders, and others. They will discuss environmental topics ranging from the future of renewable energy to the business of extracting lithium from the Salton Sea and the health effects of regional air pollution.
We will present two highly regarded keynote speakers. Yvonne Chi, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s deputy secretary of environmental justice and equity, will speak on Sept. 20, and Goldman Environmental Prize winner Nalleli Cobo will speak on Sept. 21. Both leaders are strong proponents of ensuring that marginalized communities have a voice in addressing the environmental and health issues that affect them.
The entire schedule of summit topics and speakers is available at healthydeserthealthyyou.com.
Talk about the origins of the summit. How did it come about?
Over a year ago, district staff desired to create a significant event in the community that would help raise awareness and have a positive impact on health and wellness. The initial high-level theme was environmental justice.
Soon, a committee was developed. Staff and local, county and state organizations came together and began brainstorming ideas. In the wake of Tropical Storm Hilary, environmental health—focusing on air, water and land issues—rose to the top of possible topics.
Some residents may not realize that environmental health is an important part of the Healthcare District and Foundation’s work. Why and how has your agency prioritized the valley’s environmental health?
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation’s mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all district residents. Goal No. 6 of the five-year strategic plan we adopted in 2021 focuses on increasing awareness and implementing change in the health impacts of air and water quality. As a result of Hilary, the district board elevated this goal to a high priority.
What is the primary goal of the Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit?
Participants will learn at the summit the many ways the Coachella Valley is affected by environmental challenges, and what they can do in their lives to make a difference. Through multiple topics, speakers and engaging discussions with our community leaders and experts, we anticipate developing next steps, which will help guide future initiatives to address environmental health in our valley.
The Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit is not the only way the district aims to impact environmental health in the Coachella Valley. What other plans are in the works?
This year, our board and staff have taken additional steps. One is the development of an Environmental Health Initiative, which includes a $1 million request for proposals with a focus on mitigating air quality issues. Nonprofit organizations and agencies with programs, services and concrete plans to help improve air quality will be able to apply for funds that support their work. We are launching the RFP on Sept. 16. (Applicants are not required to attend the summit to be eligible for funding consideration.)
The Healthy Desert, Healthy You Environmental Health Summit takes place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21, at Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, at 71333 Dinah Shore Drive. Admission is free admission but registration is required online or in person. Learn more at healthydeserthealthyyou.com.