‘Community Journalism’ Archives
Examining the Health Impacts of Older Housing Built Before 1939 in Phillips
By EMMA HESS, Community Journalist-in-Training 50.5% of the homes in Phillips were built before 1939 and that may be a problem for some residents in the Phillips Community. Specifically while older houses may be considered more structurally sound there can be a greater exposure to radon and lead poisoning. Other issues are related to insulation and a lack of air conditioning - and the intersection of these issues given the high levels of air pollution issues in Phillips. The Bardwell-Ferrant House, 2500 Portland Ave, built in 1883. SOURCE: Wikipedia Natalie Bullis, MPH, is the Operations Coordinator for Community Health for Pillsbury United Community. Bullis lived in Phillips for two years as part of her undergraduate degree, in an older home, and she works out of Waite House once a week. “Phillips has a pretty extensive history of air pollution. And especially in the winter when there can be a lack of insulation, that doesn’t make it any better,” said [...]
Mindfulness as a Tool
By AUTUMN YELICH Stress has become a normal part of many of our lives yet we don’t always have the tools we need to deal with it.Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of what you’re doing, feeling, or thinking in the current moment, without distraction or judgment. It’s regaining control from autopilot and tuning into what’s really happening in the now. We live in an extremely fast-paced world and sometimes it’s difficult to relax with all these stresses and burdens, but we deserve some rest.That’s why mindfulness should be a tool that we all have in our backpocket to help bring clarity and focus to our lives.Anyone can practice mindfulness, it’s for people of all ages and backgrounds who want to reduce stress, improve focus, or enhance emotional well-being. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere - whether you’re at home, at work, outside, or even in the middle of a busy day. It’s about bringing awareness to whatever you’re doing.You [...]
Reflecting on Food Access in Phillips
By ALEXANDRA NELSON Food is something that brings us together and divides us. We all need it, yet only some have access to it.My name is Alexandra and I am a nutrition student at St. Catherine University hoping to work in food accessibility. It is my core belief that access to nutritious food is a right that every person should have. In high school, I worked in elementary school classrooms and saw firsthand how food insecurity affects children and their families. Aldi is the one large grocery store option in Phillips. PHOTO: Cirien Saadeh According to information shared by the US Department of Agriculture, many Americans suffer from food insecurity. In 2023, 14 percent of all US households were food insecure. Food insecurity is a disparate issue affecting less than 9 percent of white households in America, but nearly 22 percent of black households and 18 percent of Latinx households. Food deserts perpetuate food insecurity - and the Phillips Community is one of those food [...]
