In response to “How to sum up 2024? The Oxford University Press word of the year is ‘brain rot’,” we couldn’t agree more. (Dec. 2)
Oxford Dictionary’s selection of brain rot as the word of the year highlights the negative influence of social media on mental health. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are increasingly tied to a rise in anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, contributing to a growing public health crisis.
As we approach the holiday season, social media use typically increases, making it even more important to recognize its associated risks. The risks are so high that in June, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media platforms.
There are TikTok and Instagram pages dedicated to teaching people how to engage in eating disorder behaviors. The pressure to conform to beauty ideals can be overwhelming, especially when societal stigma around weight and the use of filtered appearances set unrealistic standards. Pro-ana/pro-mia and #thinspiration content, edited images that distort reality and a constant barrage of “perfect” bodies all can exacerbate body image issues. This content is especially dangerous for people who are already predisposed to eating disorders or struggling with body image.
With awareness and the right action, we can break this cycle of brain rot and protect the mental health of ourselves and future generations.
— Dr. Elizabeth Sita, medical director of the Eating Disorder Unit at Ascension Saint Joseph and Dr. Lacey Lemke clinical psychologist at Ascension Saint Joseph
Community engagement
In reference to the Chicago Tribune’s Dec. 1 Op-Ed, “Are Chicago’s latest big projects too big to succeed?” an essential, often overlooked, and underrated metric for the overall success of referenced mega-developments (Lincoln Yards, Bally’s casino, United Center 1901, Bears Burnham Park, The 78, One Central Chicago, Michael Reese Hospital and Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park), is proactive, authentic, consistent community engagement throughout the process, from inception, design, completion and beyond. Far too often, massive developments parachute into local neighborhoods with little-to-no comprehensive plan for ongoing community communication and feedback. Hopefully as these massive, consequential projects evolve, public officials, investors and developers proceed with intentional and mutually meaningful consultation by mining the wisdom, diversity, and multi-generational experiences and perspectives of impacted community residents, bearing in mind that working in partnership with these stakeholders is vital to ensuring and sustaining the overall and long-term success of these momentous enterprises.
— Deborah Harrington, Chicago
Two bills
The 118th Congress only has a few weeks left before adjourning for good. Before they leave, the House must pass two critical bills in the fight against global poverty: the End Tuberculosis Now Act and the READ Act reauthorization. The Senate has passed both bills.
Tuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest infectious disease in human history, killing 1.25 million people in 2023. The End TB Now Act would require USAID to prioritize TB resources to areas most affected by the disease and set up processes and measures to track success. Given the impact of infectious disease during the first Trump Administration, giving this policy the force of law is particularly important.
In 2022, 250 million children were out of school worldwide. Through strategic planning and partnerships, 2017’s READ Act helped expand access to education, particularly for girls and young people in conflict-ridden nations. Reauthorization would extend these successful initiatives for another five years.
Leading the fight against global poverty is both a moral imperative and a geopolitical one for the United States when rival powers, such as China, are using development aid to grow their own sphere of influence. We cannot miss any opportunity to take up this imperative.
— Oscar Lanzi, Chicago
Affordable housing donation
Last week, as many of us gathered with friends and family to share what we’re thankful for, we likely reflected on the comforts of home — a safe, secure place to live. Yet some rental buildings face deterioration and are not safe and secure. As the costs of new construction rise, preserving our existing affordable housing has never been more critical.
Chicago is fortunate to have a stock of unsubsidized affordable housing, also known as naturally occurring affordable housing. These buildings, often owned by local small businesses, are lifelines for many families, making it vital that owners have access to loans to keep buildings in good condition.
Thankfully, MacKenzie Scott led us into the Giving Season with a record-breaking $15 million donation to Community Investment Corporation (CIC). CIC is a mission-driven lender known as a community development financial institution. We provide loans for affordable rental housing in historically underserved areas.
Scott’s unrestricted gift is not only the largest individual donation in CIC’s history, but also a testament to her trust in the organizations she supports. For an organization like ours with a long history — we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year — this trust shows confidence in our ability to finance and preserve buildings we can’t afford to lose. Thanks to her donation, we can channel resources where they’re most needed, amplifying our impact in ways we’d only dreamed of.
In 2020, we launched a pilot equity program, providing $3.8 million in financing to improve and preserve 136 units of affordable housing thanks to an initial $8 million gift from Scott. This pilot wasn’t a given; it was risky and expensive — but it provided an important opportunity to prove to traditional equity funds that smaller local owners are strong partners. Scott’s unrestricted donations are helping transform lives, one unit at a time. Talk about a cause for gratitude.
This year, in addition to bolstering our loan programs and support for our borrowers, we are using part of her donation to endow a scholarship for a graduate student in real estate to invest in the next generation, the future of this critical industry.
As we reflect on the spirit of the season, let’s not only express gratitude for the places we call home but also recommit ourselves to ensuring others have that same opportunity. Thanks to Scott’s philanthropic vision, CIC can preserve more affordable housing and invest in more communities. That’s gratitude in action.
— Stacie Young, president and CEO of Community Investment Corporation, Chicago
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