As the summer of 2020 saw a surge in racial tensions fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and protests over the murder of George Floyd, California’s San Bernardino County declared racism a public health crisis. This declaration was part of a larger movement across the country to address long-standing racial inequities. Although progress has been slow, there is hope that change can happen over time.
The impact of racism on public health, including disparities in health outcomes for minorities, has long been recognized. The pandemic and Floyd’s murder brought renewed attention to these issues, leading to a wave of declarations from local and state officials acknowledging racism as a public health crisis. These declarations vary in their proposed actions, with some focusing on data collection, policy changes, community engagement, and funding initiatives.
In response to these declarations, groups in various communities have taken concrete steps to address racism. In San Bernardino County, an equity element group researched disparities faced by African Americans, while other communities have commissioned audits to assess the harm done to minority residents. Funding initiatives in places like King County, Washington have also been established to address the crisis.
However, leadership changes and controversies have arisen in some communities that have rescinded or walked back their commitments to addressing racism as a public health crisis. There has been polarization around the issue, with some individuals feeling blamed, instead of recognizing racism as a systemic issue that affects everyone negatively. Despite these challenges, the momentum to address racial inequities in public health continues to grow.
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