Racism Is Being Recognized As A ‘Public Health Threat’

USA Today reports that racism has been declared a public issue in 145 cities and counties across 27 states. This number has risen substantially from seven in 2019.

While experts say it is an essential first step, there needs to be action behind the declarations. 

Melva Thompson-Robinson, a professor at the School of Public health, says that the summer of protests over racism and police brutality, and adding in the coronavirus pandemic that is disproportionately affecting people of color, created a “perfect storm” that could no longer be ignored.

And now, the American Medical Association has passed a policy that recognizes racism as a public health threat. In a statement put together by the AMA, racism is broken down into three tiers: systemic, cultural, and interpersonal. Each level impacts the quality of medical care. 

“Essentially, with COVID, the Band-Aid was ripped off our health care system,” said Dr. Edwards, an internist. “And the disparities were so blatant as we see more Black and brown and Native American communities hard-hit by COVID.”

It’s not just COVID-19 that impacts communities of color. Heart disease and diabetes also disproportionally affect Black and Hispanic communities. Then you factor in the bias that influences their medical care.

Additionally, according to the publication, the AMA officially recognized race as a social construct rather than a biological one. Socioeconomic factors can also add barriers to treatment, impacting health and well-being. 

Racism impacts almost all aspects of life. Regina Davis Moss, associate executive director for the American Public Health Association, says that racism impacts school funding, access to nutritious food, housing stability, and income security. 

Now that racism has been declared a public health issue, communities need to follow through with action. According to Moss Davis, the significant ways to follow up on the declarations fall into categories. The categories are data and accountability; creation of officers, groups, or task forces; community engagement; policies and programs; and funding.

“You’ve declared that racism is a public health issue,” Tiffany Green, assistant professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin, told the outlet. “What exactly are you doing? You’ve acknowledged all these problems. How are you fixing this?”

“It cannot be symbolic. It has to be followed with action,” Davis Moss said. “It has to be followed with funding because if it’s not, we’re not going to see the changes that we need to.”

Dallas County in Texas and Boston are two examples of places that have focused on data to address the crisis. Other municipalities have created task forces. San Bernadino County in California and Holyoke in Massachusetts are examples of locations that have implemented task forces.

Dekalb County, Georgia, is focusing on racial equity training with community partners.

Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the catalyst for the “racial reckoning” occurring across the country, funds have been allocated to small businesses.

The first step to fixing a problem is admitting one exists, something the declarations have done. It’s up to the communities who have recognized racism for the public health crisis it is to begin to enact policies to create change.