Environmental Health Disparities: Latino Neighborhoods in Los Angeles Face Greater Risks

A recent study utilizing a new data tool developed by UCLA has shed light on significant environmental health disparities between Latino and white neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The research emphasizes that Latino communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards such as extreme heat and air pollution, revealing critical issues in public health and environmental justice.

The Latino Climate and Health Dashboard, created by UCLA's Latino Policy and Politics Institute with backing from the California Wellness Foundation, consolidates detailed county-specific data. It compares Latino-majority neighborhoods—where over 70% of residents are Latino—and non-Latino white-majority areas across 23 California counties, representing more than 90% of the state’s Latino population. The findings are particularly alarming with California experiencing an unusually hot summer, as Latino neighborhoods face approximately 23 more days of extreme heat annually than their white counterparts.

The disparities extend beyond temperature. Latino regions tend to have more impervious surfaces and older housing lacking modern cooling systems, increasing their vulnerability to heat-related health issues. Additionally, residents often work in outdoor or heat-exposed industries, compounding their risk. Experts warn that extreme heat can be deadly and that systemic neglect, coupled with environmental factors, exacerbates the health burden.

The dashboard features interactive maps and downloadable fact sheets, designed for easy access by policymakers, community advocates, journalists, and researchers. It offers insights into heat exposure, particulate matter, asthma rates, emergency visits, and underlying factors such as housing quality, greenery, and employment in high-risk sectors. For instance, in Los Angeles County, Latino neighborhoods face about 25 days of extreme heat per year, compared to only eight days in non-Latino white areas. The amount of greenery, measured by tree canopy cover, is also lower in Latino neighborhoods—4% versus 9%.

UCLA Professor Arturo Vargas Bustamante emphasized that Latino communities are at the forefront of climate change impacts yet are often overlooked in data collection and policy decisions. The dashboard aims to empower communities and stakeholders with reliable data to advocate for equitable solutions.

Community organizations view this tool as a crucial step in their advocacy, enabling better-informed discussions with legislators. However, recent ICE raids in Los Angeles and surrounding areas have intensified fears within Latino communities, discouraging individuals from seeking medical care and further worsening health disparities. Bustamante notes that these fears, combined with environmental hazards, create a complex crisis, leading many to stay home and avoid outside environments, risking heat-related illnesses.

The lack of mandated air conditioning and accessible cooling centers in many rental units heightens these risks. As temperatures rise and immigration enforcement actions continue to generate fear, the urgency for targeted policies and community support becomes more evident. The UCLA dashboard offers a valuable resource for understanding and addressing these multilayered challenges, aiming to promote environmental justice and health equity for Latino populations in Los Angeles and beyond.