Amid protests for racial justice and an end to police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a rising number of U.S. local leaders are creating city and county resolutions to declare racism a public health crisis and also commit to specific actions, as a first step toward lasting, meaningful change. In fact, a record 57 cities and other governmental entities approved resolutions to declare racism a public health crisis in June 2020, according to Michigan cartographer Alex B. Hill on Twitter on July 6, 2020. That brings the total to 90 governmental entities, according to Hill's map graphic.
Where Are Resolutions on Racism Happening?
Since 2019, at least 24 resolutions have been introduced or adopted, according to the Network for Public Health Law. Most recently, ...
Every 10 years, the U.S. Government performs its duty of collecting a full count of the people residing in America. This decade’s survey is well underway. This initiative, mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, provides the necessary data to allocate critical funds, assess the greatest needs of that moment, and gather other information that impacts people’s daily lives. Here’s what all Latinos need to know. While the outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the U.S. Census Bureau’s work, the agency is pushing forward to garner as many completed surveys as possible. “As we resume operations delayed by the —, [we recognize] that our data collections are becoming increasingly complex and rely upon new technologies, innovations and reforms, it is ...
Racism is a public health crisis. Decades of racism-infused social, economic, and political systems have led to inequitable communities. These areas face higher burdens of stress, disease, and premature death. Now, amid U.S. protests for racial/ethnic and social justice, city leaders are creating resolutions that declare racism a public health crisis and commit to action. Download the free Salud America! “Get Your City to Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis Action Pack.” The Action Pack will help you get input from local social justice groups and advocates of color, start a conversation with city leaders, and build local support for a resolution to declare racism a public health issue along with a commitment to take action to change policies and practices. GET THE ...
Systemic racism makes it harder for Latinos and other people of color to get healthcare, housing, transportation, education, employment, healthy food, safe treatment by police, and more. We need solutions to end racial/ethnic injustice. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, to discuss how to address racial/ethnic injustice and discuss clear, measurable strategies and actions to combat racial/ethnic disparities in housing, public health, education, and more! WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Addressing Racial/Ethnic Injustice
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, June 16, 2020
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: @SaludAmerica
CO-HOSTS: UnidosUS (@WeAreUnidosUS), America’s Promise Alliance (@AmericasPromise), CommonHealth Action ...
On April 30, protesters, many with guns and without face masks, entered Michigan’s state capitol to resist stay-home orders amid coronavirus, resist mask-wearing, and demand businesses reopen. “Infectious disease physicians and public health officials publicly condemned these actions and privately mourned the widening rift between leaders in science and a subset of the communities that they serve,” reads an open letter signed by 1,288 public health professionals, infectious disease professionals, and community stakeholders across the country. Then, when George Floyd was killed by a police officer May 25, protesters, many unarmed and wearing face masks, took to the streets to promote racial justice. This time, public health professionals responded differently. The noted ...
Elva Yañez—with her neighbors and allies—waged a campaign that has lasted over 15 years to preserve one of the last unprotected open green spaces in her Northeast Los Angeles community of El Sereno. Before working on healthy equitable land use issues, she worked in tobacco control. When she recognized similarities in the way tobacco companies and land developers fought to protect private interests from government regulation, she began using tobacco control tactics to fight for environmental justice. With the help of others, she led an effort to stop one particularly harmful residential development in her community that had serious public health and safety consequences. Throughout the campaign she knew she wanted to go upstream and address the systemic conditions that allowed ...
Decades of decisions fueled by structural racism have built a society with no health equity, where many groups lack a fair, just opportunity to be their healthiest. This is especially true in our transportation system. Past and present planning, policy, and funding decisions have failed to provide equitable, affordable, safe, convenient, and reliable transportation options for all, from the local to federal levels. Dismantling these inequities requires intentional effort. That’s why Smart Growth America conducted a field scan to explore promising opportunities to achieve equitable public infrastructure, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report spells out the six biggest challenges to health equity facing our transportation system (and the 40 ...
When Julia Maues was 29, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy who had a full head of hair—while she had no hair at all due to chemotherapy for breast cancer. During her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. Maues began chemo while pregnant, which is the standard of care. After her son was born in 2013, she underwent more tests she couldn’t have while pregnant. Doctors found that her cancer had already spread to her brain, liver, and bones. After trying different drugs and finding the right one, the cancer started to respond to the therapy. There were (and still are) many setbacks: Most drugs don’t penetrate the brain, many drugs harm the heart, the side effects can be debilitating, and her incurable illness has taken a huge emotional toll on ...
How much do you know about the U.S. Census? This year, Americans will be given the opportunity to participate in this national count of the people living in America today. Experts, including those from the Census Bureau, say every single person alive needs to complete this survey — it impacts health, local funding, and so much more. Census Bureau Deputy Regional Director Dennis Johnson and Media Specialist Ximena Alvarez join to talk about this once-in-a-decade event and its importance to the American people. Check out this discussion on the #SaludTalks Podcast, Episode 15, "Everyone Counts"! WHAT: A #SaludTalks discussion on telling stories, everyday individuals stepping up, and Salud America!'s Salud Hero series GUEST: Census Bureau Deputy Regional Director ...
