Usually a public health epidemic refers to something like the flu. However, a new study shows that America’s newest public health epidemic may be the decades of mass incarceration and substandard prison conditions.

Inmates often come from low-income and poor health backgrounds. Health care in prison is lacking, and the stresses of being incarcerated often exacerbate or add to previous health problems. Even those who are healthy are at risk. Inmates placed in solitary confinement are far more likely to cause harm to themselves.

Learn more about this epidemic at vera.org