---

After a year-long fellowship with the Southern Center for Human Rights, I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my op-ed in The Atlanta Journal Constitution. The piece, titled “Reducing Police Violence Will Make Georgia Safer, Healthier,” explores the deep-seated issue of police violence and its far-reaching implications on public health.

In the op-ed, I discuss:

• The disproportionate policing and violence experienced by communities of color, economically disadvantaged individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with mental illnesses, often starting from non-violent encounters.
• The statistical link between police violence and heightened rates of health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental distress in our communities.
• The tragedy of individuals with mental health issues being 16 times more likely to die during police encounters, largely due to the lack of proper officer training in dealing with mental health crises.
• The promise of non-law enforcement alternatives like Atlanta’s Policing Alternatives and Diversion (PAD) program (link), which diverts individuals to community-based resources, reducing their engagement with the criminal legal system.

This publication marks an important milestone in my continuous journey to advocate for human rights and bioethics.

I invite you to read the op-ed in its entirety here. Together, let’s work towards a future where public safety advances public health, and every community member feels truly safe and supported.