BOARD OF HEALTH PASSES RESOLUTION DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE

Dave A. Chokshi, MD MSc, Commissioner  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 18, 2021

BOARD OF HEALTH PASSES RESOLUTION DECLARING RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

The resolution recognizes the impact of racism on health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

The resolution requests several actions from the Health Department including making recommendations to the NYC Racial Justice Commission, establishing a Data for Equity working group, performing an anti-racism review of the NYC Health Code, and issuing a semi-annual report on progress associated with this resolution

October 18, 2021 – The New York City Board of Health today passed a landmark resolution on racism as a public health crisis, requesting that the Health Department expand its anti-racism work. The resolution institutionalizes the vision behind the Health Department’s June 2020 declaration and requires that the Department develop and implement priorities for a racially just recovery from COVID-19, as well as other actions to address this public health crisis in the short and long term.

“To build a healthier New York City, we must confront racism as a public health crisis,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “The COVID-19 pandemic magnified inequities, leading to suffering disproportionately borne by communities of color in our City and across our nation. But these inequities are not inevitable. Today is an historic day for the country’s oldest Board of Health to officially recognize this crisis and demand action.”

“We’ve seen for years the negative impact racism has in our public health data and today, we’re recommitting ourselves to building a more equitable City,” said First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer Dr. Torian Easterling. “I thank the Board of Health for sharing our commitment to dismantling systemic racism. (Read More)