Miles away, years apart: When geography impacts destiny, everything plays a part
In October 2022, Orange Mound community members viewed renderings of the old Melrose High School renovation during the groundbreaking for the project. The building, which was vacant in the neighborhood for more than 40 years, will become a library, genealogy center and affordable senior housing. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian file)
The almost 20-year difference between estimated life expectancies across Shelby County is a product of differences in food, education, crime rates and access to all sorts of resources.
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Aisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki has spent the better part of two decades writing about Memphis. A former digital journalist for WMC Action News 5 and staff reporter for Memphis Daily News, her work has also appeared in The Commercial Appeal, High Ground News, I Love Memphis, Inside Memphis Business, The Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent, Memphis Magazine and Tri-State Defender.
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