Mission Statement & Strategic
Priorities
The Mission Hill Health Movement (MHHM) was founded in the 1960s. At that time, the neighborhood was adjacent to some of the best medical facilities in the world, yet many residents did not have access to regular health care. Hospitals and medical institutions were buying homes and property anonymously in the area to expand their facilities into our residential neighborhood.
From 1968 to 1970, when it was founded (in July 1970), MHHM acted as the Community Health Committee of Parker Hill-Fenway Area Planning Action Committee (APAC), through the local office of the Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), when it negotiated with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Harvard Community Health Plan (HCHP) for neighborhood-based coverage by Harvard Community Health Plan. That agreement included the first Medicaid/Medicare HCHP eligibility with sliding scale premiums for Mission Hill residents, and a local primary care outreach/advocacy office with its neighborhood residents in meaningful staff positions.
It was instrumental in founding the Fenway Community Health Center. It conducted with neighborhood staff, a neighborhood-based door-to-door lead paint testing program and coordinated with the Boston Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH),[33] later (after a series of complex mergers), the Boston Public Health Commission, to offer the first neighborhood-based free flu shots for elderly. It helped establish at Hennigan School a preschool program integrating special needs students into mainstream classes and set up for Mission Hill children the "SWISH" school-based dental care program with fluoride rinses, scheduling Mission Hill 'Swish Moms' to work with and assist Harvard Dental School staff.
Current MHHM Programs include: Farmers Markets at Roxbury Crossing subway station on the Orange Line, and Brigham Circle trolley station on the E Green Line; the Gore St Community Garden; Mission Hill Walks! (Walking Group); Mindful Movement for seniors at the Parker Hill Library; Video-What I want my Doctor to Know; COVID 19 & flu response with facemasks and test kits; and Annual Mission Hill Health and Wellness Fair.
Now, as a 501c3 non-profit organization, the MHHM works to ensure a livable environment and a healthy quality of life for all our residents. The MHHM addresses the broad issues which affect its neighborhood and to improve the quality of health in Mission Hill.
In 2017, the MHHM Board adopted the following mission statement:
The Mission Hill Health Movement strives to improve the health of Mission Hill Residents and the Community through partnerships, collaborations, education and health and wellness activities and programs.
The MHHM focuses on 4 major areas:
1. Improving health through increasing the availability and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Supporting Mission Hill residents in preventing and managing chronic illness.
3. Having young adults (22-45) take leadership in promoting community health.
4. Creating a resilient and healthy Mission Hill environment and community.
Mission Hill Heath Movement wants Cleaner Air on Mission Hill
In 2007, the MHHM did a study of traffic influence on neighborhood air quality which was published in 2009: The Influence of Traffic on Air Quality in an Urban Neighborhood: A Community–University Partnership | AJPH | Vol. 99 Issue S3
What the study found (in simple terms)
Since this study was completed, much of the new development of low income housing has taken place adjacent to major roadways and non-electrified commuter rail lines. Annecdotally, some residents in these newer developments report higher rates of asthma incidents and what they consider large amounts of particulates (dust) in thier homes. A middle income resident new to the community stated he insatlled lots of plants in his apartment to improve the air quality. With reports of local residents dying after an asthma attack, air quality remains an important issue for the neighborhood.
The MHHM is very interested in reviewing and summarizing what what more recent air quality studies of the community have learned and putting into place a series of purple air monitoring sensors. It has established an Air quality Committee to do this.
What the study found (in simple terms)
- Traffic affects air quality: Air pollution from cars and trucks in a city neighborhood isn’t spread out evenly — it varies a lot depending on where you measure it.
- Tiny particles change a lot from place to place: Very small particles in the air (called ultrafine particles) changed a lot in both space and time within the neighborhood. These particles were much higher near roads with heavy traffic and dropped quickly as you moved farther away.
- This is different than larger particles: Larger particles (like PM2.5) did not show as much change from place to place as the ultrafine ones.
- Close to busy roads matters: Right next to major streets, particularly within about 400 meters (about ¼ mile), the levels of ultrafine particles were much higher.
- Environmental justice concern: Because traffic pollution varies so much within the neighborhood, people who live closer to busy roads — often poorer or minority communities — are exposed to more harmful pollution. This is a fairness and health issue.
- Working with the community helped: The study used students and local residents to gather data, showing that community involvement can help understand local air pollution patterns better.
Since this study was completed, much of the new development of low income housing has taken place adjacent to major roadways and non-electrified commuter rail lines. Annecdotally, some residents in these newer developments report higher rates of asthma incidents and what they consider large amounts of particulates (dust) in thier homes. A middle income resident new to the community stated he insatlled lots of plants in his apartment to improve the air quality. With reports of local residents dying after an asthma attack, air quality remains an important issue for the neighborhood.
The MHHM is very interested in reviewing and summarizing what what more recent air quality studies of the community have learned and putting into place a series of purple air monitoring sensors. It has established an Air quality Committee to do this.
