Opinion: How climate change worsens disparities among Austin kids
Published: February 16, 2020
Despite the sometimes oppressive Texas heat, I bike or take the bus to work. On my commute, I crisscross Holly Street, East Cesar Chavez, and downtown. Biking through downtown, I pass the Texas Capitol to enjoy the shade of 27 different tree species. But for most of my bike commute, I feel the sun beating down on me as I pedal through the urban landscape.
The differences between these neighborhoods are captured in a January report from Brandeis University that scored 100 U.S. cities and urban areas on how much access kids have to resources that help them live healthy lives, called the Child Opportunity Index. This is particularly important in Texas, where a statewide survey found only six percent of Latinx 4th graders are reaching the recommended levels of physical activity.
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