Syracuse Sun

A public health professor whose research focuses on social determinants of health has been selected as the 2024-26 Lender Center for Social Justice faculty fellow.

Miriam Mutambudzi will explore how Black adults who reside in historically redlined neighborhoods can experience a disadvantaged occupational life course and subsequent health consequences. Redlining was a discriminatory practice of designating certain neighborhoods, especially predominantly Black ones, as being poor credit risks.

Mutambudzi is an assistant professor of public health at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She is also a faculty affiliate of three centers at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs: the Center for Aging and Policy Studies; the Aging Studies Institute; and the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion.

In addition to Mutambudzi, an interdisciplinary team of student fellows will work on the project. Students from any discipline and background who are excited about community advocacy and social justice are encouraged to apply for the two-year fellowships. Applications are accepted through early October and fellows are chosen before the end of the fall semester. The faculty-student group will present their findings at a community symposium in 2026.

We recently sat down with Mutambudzi to learn more about her project.

Why is this topic important?

"This research tackles the ongoing challenges faced by Black communities from the legacy of historical discriminatory housing practices and the subsequent impact of those practices on community members’ employment and health."

While the Fair Housing Act of 1968 was enacted as federal law, it failed to fully dismantle racial discrimination in housing resulting from redlining. "Redlining is a discriminatory practice that began in 1930s America [where] banks and insurance companies refused or limited loans, mortgages, and insurance to residents of specific geographic areas—primarily neighborhoods with predominantly Black residents." Residents had limited access to credit and other financial services, hindering efforts to own homes, invest in property or improve their neighborhoods. The results were often urban decay and perpetuation of poverty.

While redlining is a historical concept, its effects persist today. Its legacy continues to limit many life opportunities, with neighborhoods still facing social and economic disadvantages.

How do limited employment prospects—or lack thereof—affect health issues?

"Both employment and discriminatory policies are key factors contributing to racial disparities in health outcomes." Job insecurity, precarity, lower wages, and periods of unemployment—which occur more frequently among Black workers—all contribute to income gaps that limit access to good health insurance and quality healthcare.

Young adults from disadvantaged neighborhoods enter the workforce at a significant disadvantage due to scarce job prospects within their communities that offer stability or advancement paths.

This lack creates a vicious cycle where young adults miss out on crucial skill-building opportunities that come with these jobs. Involuntary employment interruptions further disrupt career trajectories perpetuating economic immobility for those starting behind.

Limited financial resources often translate into poor housing conditions lacking essential amenities. Nutritious foods are generally more expensive leading residents towards cheaper unhealthy options available in “food deserts.” Jobs disproportionately held by Black workers tend to be physically demanding contributing further risks such as obesity diabetes respiratory illness hypertension among others.

What questions shape your research?

"There’s much we don’t know about how historically racist policies such as redlining continued affecting employment trajectories." Understanding factors shaping occupational trajectories over long periods helps gauge impacts on individual health outcomes focusing specifically on historically redlined neighborhoods predicting racial disparities long-term employment trajectories chronic conditions education moderating relationships among them forms core areas explored within this study framework

In what ways will student fellows be involved?

"They will contribute data analysis management conduct literature reviews gather relevant reports synthesize findings inform study’s background contextual understanding engage local community grassroots organizations addressing adverse effects Syracuse"

What do you hope accomplish with this research?

"My goal illustrate historical discriminatory redlining policy marginalized Black communities still adversely impacts work-health today regardless educational attainment raise awareness lasting effects fundamental social determinants requiring attention inspire policymakers leaders public drive meaningful action."

---