"As leaders work to prevent future catastrophes, we urge a cross-sector approach with our communities’ most vulnerable people at the center of every discussion," write Impact Factory Innovator-in-Residence Mary Beth Bennett and Dr. Michael K. Hole in the Austin American-Statesman.
"Blackouts are shown to cause immediate and severe harm to people’s health. In August 2003, a two-day blackout in New York City led to approximately 90 excess deaths.
"Children are notoriously resilient, but as pediatric healthcare providers, we have seen that strength work against them. Kids can show few warning signs of serious illness until it is too late. Due to their size and physiology, young children burn more energy than adults and are more vulnerable to environmental hazards and extreme temperatures."
Read the full opinion piece at the Austin American-Statesman