By Vincent Lim
Growing up in poverty in New York City prepared Richard Carmona for an unexpected role later in his life.
“I never planned to be surgeon general of the United States, but the best training I had was to grow up as a poor kid,” said Carmona, the 17th surgeon general of the United States, who delivered this year’s Edward R. Roybal Memorial Lecture. “I know what it’s like to go to sleep with a toothache and a hungry stomach and not know what the next day will bring.”
Sponsored by the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging at the USC School of Social Work with honorary co-host Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), the biennial event honors the institute’s namesake and founder the late Rep. Edward R. Roybal—a champion for civil rights, equal opportunity and the establishment of aging services.
“For those who haven’t read his bio or his story, you ought to take a look,” said Carmona, currently a distinguished professor at the University of Arizona, the president of Canyon Ranch Institute and vice chairman of Canyon Ranch. “He saw the connection between poverty, discrimination and ultimately health outcomes.”
The institute works to advance research that enhances aging for adults in minority and low-income communities.
Carmona alluded to studies that have suggested that where an individual is born and lives often determines educational and career opportunities, overall well-being and life expectancy.
“Zip codes should not be a dependent variable determining longevity and success in life,” Carmona said. “Our social workers understand that, the Roybal Institute understands that and Edward Roybal understood that over half century ago when he started working in communities to try to change that.”