Eric W. Dickson, MD
June 20, 2019
Viewpoint
A healthy Worcester needs affordable housing
By Eric W. Dickson, M.D.
I can’t help but notice the tremendous momentum emboldening the City of Worcester to dare to dream big in its renaissance and reimagining her future. From her leaders, to her residents, to her business sectors, a renewed and infectious sense of civic pride goes beyond asking, “Why not here?” to the more affirmative, “This is the place.” Yes, Worcester is booming, but with growth comes challenges.
Last month, I was on hand for the governor’s press conference on housing choice. This centers around legislation to address zoning issues, strategies to build diverse housing stock, and unique and affordable new options for first-time home owners. In my remarks, I spoke about the housing challenge from a business perspective. In our effort to attract the best and brightest doctors, nurses and other caregivers to Worcester, our future colleagues have a healthy stock of homes to choose from. An inadequate stock puts employers in the region at a competitive disadvantage.
At UMass Memorial, I wear two hats, and those comments came while I was wearing my CEO hat. My other hat is of a clinician. While it is true we want the best housing possible for our caregivers, we want the same for our patients. Each day, we are acutely aware some patients and their families struggle to find affordable, safe and healthy housing. Our caregivers strongly believe affordable housing is a key factor for health, and without it, neither the individual nor the community can be healthy. A growing body of evidence clearly demonstrates the link between housing instability and poor health. Given this clear link, UMass Memorial is already deeply engaged in collaborative efforts to promote healthy, stable housing for patients.
Our in-home asthma program partners with Worcester’s Division of Public Health, Community Legal Aid and local community health centers to screen families for substandard housing conditions, such as code violations. We work collaboratively to address underlying problems impairing the health of children. In doing so, we have reduced emergency department visits, improved medication adherence and reduced student absenteeism.
Our new program, an Anchor Mission, addresses social factors like housing and workforce to foster a healthy and economically vibrant community, focusing on the underserved. Health, housing and workforce all go hand in hand.
We commend Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito for prioritizing the issue of housing instability. Kudos as well to City Manager Edward Augustus, Mayor Joe Petty, the City Council and our legislative delegation for focusing on housing and homelessness. In this great renaissance for Worcester, it is vitally important her communities share in the socioeconomic benefits. This is a tremendous opportunity for Worcester to lead the way as a shining example of civic commitment to affordable housing for its residents.
Eric W. Dickson, MD, is the president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester.
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