Policy and
Solutions
Every policy choice is a chance to redraw the map-not with exclusion, but with opportunity, health, and justice for all.
Breaking the Cycle: Policy Pathways for Health and Environmental Justice in Atlanta
The health disparities experienced by Black residents in Atlanta’s historically redlined neighborhoods are not accidents-they are the result of decades of deliberate policy decisions. Reversing these injustices requires bold, evidence-based solutions that address both the historical roots and ongoing drivers of inequality. Here, we outline policy interventions and community-driven strategies that can help Atlanta breathe easier and build a more equitable future.
1. Strengthening Environmental Protections and Air Quality Standards​
The Problem
Redlined neighborhoods in Atlanta are disproportionately exposed to air pollution from highways, industrial sites, and freight corridors. According to the EPA, these areas have higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NOâ‚‚) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-pollutants directly linked to asthma and respiratory illness. CDC data shows that Black Atlantans are 50–100% more likely to suffer from asthma than white residents.
​
​Policy Solutions:
Implement Stricter Air Quality Regulations: Enforce lower emission limits for industries and vehicles operating near residential areas, especially in historically redlined neighborhoods.
Expand Air Quality Monitoring: Install more air quality sensors in vulnerable communities. Recent efforts in neighborhoods like Brookview Heights (Capital B News, 2024) have empowered residents with real-time data to advocate for change.
Buffer Zones: Require green buffer zones (trees, parks) between pollution sources and homes, schools, and playgrounds.
Impact:
Cities that have implemented stricter air quality controls and invested in green buffers have seen measurable drops in childhood asthma rates and hospitalizations (CDC, 2023).
​
​
The Problem:
Decades of disinvestment have left many Black neighborhoods with substandard housing-marked by mold, pests, and poor ventilation-all of which are asthma triggers. Limited access to healthcare and green spaces compounds these risks.
Policy Solutions:
Targeted Housing Rehabilitation Grants: Direct federal, state, and local funds to repair and upgrade housing in historically redlined areas, prioritizing healthy building materials and mold remediation.
Affordable Green Housing Initiatives: Incentivize the construction of energy-efficient, affordable housing that includes air filtration systems and green building standards.
Healthcare Access Expansion: Increase funding for community health clinics and mobile health services in underserved neighborhoods.
Impact:
Programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and targeted housing investments have improved health outcomes in cities that prioritize environmental health in their housing policies (Voyles, 2016; EPA, 2024).
2.
Revitalizing Housing and Urban Infrastructure
3.
Expanding Green Spaces and Combating Urban Heat Islands
The Problem:
Historically redlined neighborhoods have less access to parks and tree canopies, which help filter air pollutants and reduce urban heat. This lack of green infrastructure contributes to higher temperatures and worsens air quality.
Policy Solutions:
Urban Greening Initiatives: Launch citywide campaigns to plant trees, create parks, and restore green corridors in redlined neighborhoods.
Community-Led Greenspace Projects: Support resident-driven efforts to reclaim vacant lots and transform them into community gardens and parks.
Climate Resilience Planning: Integrate environmental justice into Atlanta’s climate action and resilience strategies to ensure vulnerable communities are prioritized.
Impact:
Research shows that increasing urban tree canopy by just 10% can reduce local temperatures by 2°F and lower asthma rates by improving air quality (Digital Scholarship Lab; EPA, 2024).
The Problem:
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was designed to address redlining, but weak enforcement has allowed disparities to persist (Art, 1989). Financial institutions still underinvest in Black communities, limiting economic mobility and neighborhood revitalization.
Policy Solutions:
Strengthen CRA Enforcement: Hold banks and lenders accountable for equitable investment in historically marginalized neighborhoods.
Transparency in Lending: Mandate public reporting of mortgage and business loan data by neighborhood and demographic group.
Incentivize Equitable Development: Offer tax credits and grants for businesses and developers that invest in health-promoting infrastructure in redlined areas.
Impact:
Cities with robust CRA enforcement and transparent lending practices have seen increased investment in marginalized neighborhoods, leading to improved housing, infrastructure, and health outcomes (Art, 1989).
4.
Enforcing and Expanding Anti-Discrimination and Investment Laws
5.
Community Empowerment and Participatory Policy-Making
The Problem:
Top-down solutions often fail to reflect the lived experiences and needs of residents. Sustainable change requires that communities most affected by environmental injustice have a seat at the table.
Policy Solutions:
Participatory Budgeting: Allocate a portion of city budgets to be directly controlled by residents of historically redlined neighborhoods for health and environmental projects.
Support for Local Advocacy Groups: Fund grassroots organizations working on environmental justice, health education, and policy advocacy.
Ongoing Research and Data Collection: Partner with universities and community groups to monitor health and environmental outcomes, ensuring policies are data-driven and responsive.
Impact:
Community-driven initiatives have led to more effective and sustainable solutions, increased trust in government, and greater civic engagement (Capital B News, 2024).