CPHA Statement - Racism is a Public Health Crisis |
“I can’t breathe.” These dying words under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin from George Floyd on video will haunt us as public health professionals who have committed our lives to helping people in need. We are witnessing a precarious tipping point in history as evidenced by a week of nation-wide protests highlighting the pain and anguish of Black communities. May these words also move us to action (please see resource list below) as this crisis will require all of us to move forward toward a more just and equal country . After 400 years of racism in the United States, this critical public health crisis cannot be ignored or sidestepped any longer. CPHA will not be silent and we call on you, as CPHA members and public health advocates, to join our advocacy efforts in condemning law enforcement violence, calling for law enforcement reform and accountability, and working to unwind racism in our cultural fabric. In a Denver Post’s February 2, 2020 article, “We tracked every police shooting in Colorado last year. Here’s what we learned.”, data was presented that Colorado’s rates of police shootings are higher than the national average. In fact, Colorado has the 5th highest rate of fatal law enforcement shootings in the country. Let me be clear, this poor statistic isn’t because Colorado experiences more violence than other states. Police shootings are a complex public health issue which requires a multidisciplinary, prevention-focused approach. I represented CPHA on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association in 2018 when we voted to pass the Policy Statement: “Addressing Law Enforcement Violence as a Public Health Issue”. This Policy recommends a public health strategy that promotes community-based solutions and prevents law enforcement violence. APHA recommends the following actions by federal, state, tribal, and local authorities to address this issue:
These recommendations can serve as a starting point for how we can advocate for change in our individual communities. Please join CPHA in our call to denounce law enforcement violence, ensure we can respond with a voice for those who have lost their lives too soon and can no longer speak for themselves, and work together with us to raise up a loud public health voice that can no longer be ignored. Racism is a public health crisis. It is a risk factor, a social determinant of health, and a root cause of health disparities. As Dr. Georges Benjamin, APHA Executive Director said in APHA’s statement (5/29/20), “Racism is an ongoing public health crisis that needs our attention now”, “racism is a longstanding systemic structure in this country that must be dismantled, through brutally honest conversations, policy changes and practices.” At CPHA, I acknowledge we have made strides in the last decade towards improved diversity and inclusion practices, and driven faithfully toward our vision of “To create the healthiest Colorado for everyone” with health equity at the core. In 2019, we voted to add a Health Equity Officer to the Executive Committee to ensure health equity was considered in every decision we make. However, I also acknowledge we have a long way to go in our active work to dismantle systemic racism, implicit bias and to improve our internal practices. My commitment in the remainder of my term is to:
Please ensure your CPHA membership is up to date and join CPHA’s Health Equity Coalition to maximize our impact. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Respectfully, Kim Kimberly Boyd, RN, NP, ND President, Colorado Public Health Association
Resources:APHA: Obama.org: Anguish and Action Human Impact Partners: Policing is a Public Health Issue: Emergency Conversation with Researchers and Advocates Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: New Era of Public Safety: An Advocacy Toolkit for Fair, Safe, and Effective Community Policing
If you are protesting in Denver, please get tested for COVID-19 and urge fellow protestors to do the same.
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