South Los Angeles Health and Human Rights Initiative: Lessons in Community Mobilization and Education

Background: Significant advancements in the protection of human rights have occurred since 1948, with the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet severe and growing violations and inequities persist. Long-standing structural violence has contributed to deep inequities and poor health outcomes for South Los Angeles residents. Recent community-led collaborative approaches with robust community participation have set the stage for rights-based advocacy in South Los Angeles, which includes over one million residents. Methods: On June 5th 2009, a coalition of community groups convened the First Annual South Los Angeles Health and Human Rights Conference to apply a rights-based approach to community mobilization, policy advocacy, and the overall goal of improving health. Community workgroups met to discuss social determinants of health and human rights in south Los Angeles. Results: To date, over 2000 South Los Angeles residents have participated in this community-led health and human rights process. A South Los Angeles Declaration of Health and Human Rights was unveiled on December 10, 2009. At present, 'Right to Health Committees' are being developed so that community members and leaders can advance health literacy and policy. Conclusions: A community-led health and human rights approach can significantly increase awareness, impact policy, and improve health outcomes. The South Los Angeles Declaration of Health and Human Rights offers lessons for those interested in building human rights-constituencies in marginalized, urban U.S. community settings.