In 2021, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued this advisory on confronting health misinformation. As Dr. Murthy says at the beginning of the advisory, “Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts. Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort.”
Part of what we do as a Coalition is provide the most accurate, up to date information that we have, using plain language so that it’s as accessible as possible.
Just before leaving his position as Surgeon General in January, 2025, Vivek Murthy issued an advisory highlighting the risks. This advisory highlights that alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, and that at the same time, less than half of Americans are aware that drinking alcohol increases cancer risk.
Monday, January 20, 2025, is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King is best known for his work in the United States Civil rights movement, but his legacy stretches far beyond that, including his activism against the use of nuclear weapons.
Dr. King believed that the immense destructive power of nuclear weapons was incompatible with his principles of nonviolence. He also noted that the nuclear arms race diverted resources away from work on poverty and social issues, while also stoking fear and creating real danger of global disaster. He saw disarmament as essential for global peace and urged U.S. leaders to work towards creating a world free from the threat of nuclear devastation.
Here are some articles that address Dr. King’s anti-nuclear war activism, as well as other ways he had an impact worldwide.
A trenchant cultural critic, celebrated sociologist, and award-winning writer, Tressie McMillan Cottom is known for rearranging your brain in the span of a carefully-turned phrase. Her breadth is phenomenal – it moves from the racial hierarchy of beauty standards and the class codes of dressing for work to the predation of for-profit colleges and the stain of racial capitalism on our plural democracy – all while reimagining the essay form for the 21st century as she goes.
Ahmad Esfahani interviewed Leigh-Ellen Figueroa and Ilana Gerjuoy on his series on GCTV titled “Perspectives on Trauma”. On the series Esfahani interviews people from around Western Massachusetts about the topic of trauma. You can watch the interview HERE.
Also, check out our Opportunities for Youth page for info on volunteer opportunities and youth groups in the region.
SUPPORT AND INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE!
This is an online version of a small, folded resource card created by the Communities That Care Coalition to help youth and adults find help and resources on the go! You can also find great resources on important topics of interest on our Resources for Parents and Families page.
Do you have suggestions or corrections? Or would you like printed copies? Please email Naomi.
Not sure who to call? Try one of the General Information numbers or check out 413Cares.
All phone numbers are in the 413 area code unless otherwise noted.
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