What good is a healthy coastline without healthy people?

In an article titled “What good is a healthy coastline, turtles, dolphins, even economy, without healthy people?” 2005 RFK Human Rights Award Laureate Stephen Bradberry writes about the long-term effects of the BP drilling disaster on Gulf Coast communities and the need to provide disaster-related health care in the region. While many have considered the long-lasting environmental and financial impact of the disaster, few have considered the ongoing human impact.

This week, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Kerry Kennedy is leading a delegation with Mr. Bradberry in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to assess the scope of the emerging healthcare crisis. On July 26, the delegation will visit a soon-to-be established site for medical treatment in Jean Lafitte, Louisiana, the result of a collaboration by the Jefferson Community Health Care Centers, the Alliance Institute, the Louisiana Bayoukeeper, and Mayor Timothy Kerner.