Date of Completion
2020
Document Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Environmental Studies
Thesis Type
Honors College, College of Arts and Science Honors, Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis
First Advisor
Bindu Panikkar, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Ingrid Nelson, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Kelsey Gleason, Ph.D.
Keywords
Environmental Justice, Health Disparities, Vermont, Policy
Abstract
Vermont is one of eight states in the United States without an environmental justice policy. In order to help inform an environmental justice policy for Vermont, this research examined the self-reported environmental and health experiences of Vermont residents by gender, race, income, and residence. 569 surveys were collected throughout the summer of 2019 through door-to-door surveying in low-income communities, mobile home parks, and communities with high environmental burdens identified through a spatial analysis. SPSS statistics was used for data analysis, using cross-tabs and binomial logistic regression in order to determine trends and significance within the data. Data analysis revealed that both residents who identify as non-white and residents with an income below $25,750 had significant difficulties paying for utilities (water, heat, energy, rent) and fresh food. Additionally, they are significantly more likely to use public transportation and face environmental risks. They are less likely to have a primary care doctor, and more likely to experience health problems. These results show that Vermont residents who identify as non-white and those making below $25,750 are experiencing significant environmental and health disparities. Further research should be conducted regarding specific health disparities, and policy makers should be consulted in order to determine the best way to address the disparities through policy.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Selle, Julia, "Environmental Health Disparities in Vermont" (2020). UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College Senior Theses. 366.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses/366