Jefferson County Declares Systemic Racism a Public Health Crisis
The Jefferson County Board of Health and Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) passed a resolution declaring systemic and structural racism and a public health crisis on Tuesday, June 16 during its monthly meeting. The resolution is a response to the need for action within the community and an answer to a call-to-action for all institutions to work harder for equity and justice for BIPOC.
The Board of Health declared that they have “felt so many things” in the past few weeks, from anger to the need for change. Greg Deranleau, president of the Jefferson County Board of Health, made a statement in response.
“The convergence of recent events—the novel coronavirus which has disproportionately affected People of Color and further racial injustices—have catalyzed a need for action. With this resolution, we are asking JCPH to look at the ways in which public health can have a direct impact on racial equity in Jeffco and make important strides for and with the People of Color in our community. We know that this work is too crucial to delay—injustice has already cost too many lives,” says Deranleau.
By signing this resolution, the Board of Health has tasked JCPH with, and the leadership at JCPH has committed to:
- Assess internal policies to ensure racial and ethnic equity;
- Develop policy platforms which address systemic racism and injustices;
- Actively engage people and communities of color affected by disadvantage and poverty to alleviate harmful conditions in which people live, work and age, and;
- Enhance data collection and analyses that produce a justice-informed community health needs assessment and community health improvement plan.
“At JCPH, we’ve long said we are committed to the best health possible for all people. That means tackling the issues that affect people’s health upstream, such as racial, economic, social, health, and other systemic injustices. It is by striking at the foundations of the systems that perpetuate these injustices that we can build better, more equitable lives for people of color,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, executive director, JCPH.
“This kind of work is hard, and it means addressing our own culture within the walls of JCPH as well as working authentically with our community to make Jefferson County the best place possible for all its residents. But, no matter how hard the work may be, it’s the right thing to do. At JCPH, we are committed to equity and justice and denounce racism, hatred, and discrimination in all its forms.”
To read the Board of Health proclamation, please visit JCPH’s website. To learn more about racism as a public health crisis, visit the American Public Health Association’s webpage.
