2023 Theses Master's

“Saber es Poder”: Human Rights Knowledge as a Social Determinant of Health in New York City’s Latin@/x/e Communities

Paredes-Rupp, Dominique

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides a framework for the way that human rights contribute to social determinants of health, such as fair working conditions, right to shelter, and rights to be free from discrimination. The NYC Human Rights Law, incorporating ideas based within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protects individuals from discrimination in public spaces in over 27 different protected categories. Knowledge of the NYC Human Rights Law, specifically by Latin@/x/e individuals, who make up a large part of the NYC workforce, acts as a social determinant of health. Funding sources to bolster community involvement and the work of the NYC Commission on Human Rights is needed in order to educate Latin@/x/e individuals on their human rights in the city, especially in regard to workers, language, and legal rights to improve overall health and well-being in New York City.